[Post thrombotic syndrome: are elastic stockings on their last legs? The role of compression in prevention and treatment]

Abstract

Post thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a common chronic complication of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). PTS has a negative impact on quality of life. Patients with a more serious form of this syndrome have increased rates of sick leave and incur increased medical costs. The underlying processes leading to PTS are not yet fully understood. Pressure increases in the deep-venous system, resulting in venous hypertension. Venous hypertension is the cause of the most important symptoms of PTS: pain, oedema and skin abnormalities. Compression therapy reduces oedema and pain in patients in the acute phase following DVT. Based on convincing results from randomised trials, elastic compression therapy was recommended for patients with DVT for many years, in order to prevent venous hypertension and PTS. Recent studies have led to discussion on the added value of elastic compression.