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Examining the Benefit of Graduated Compression Stockings in the Prevention of vEnous Thromboembolism in Low-risk Surgical Patients

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Venous Thromboembolism
Interventions
Other: Graduated Compression Stockings - Thromboembolic deterrent stockings
Registration Number
NCT05347550
Lead Sponsor
Imperial College London
Brief Summary

Hospital acquired thrombosis describes blood clots that form in the legs and lungs after someone is treated in hospital. Clots in the leg can cause swelling, pain and other problems. If a clot in the leg travels to the lungs, it may be life threatening. Having surgery increases the risk of developing blood clots.

People having short-stay surgery (who either go home the same day or who stay overnight but go home shortly afterwards) are at a much lower risk of developing a blood clot than those who stay in hospital for longer. These low-risk people are often given elastic stockings (which squeeze the leg muscles) to reduce the chance of a blood clot.

The risks of wearing the stockings are low but they can be uncomfortable. In the UK, there are over a million short stay surgeries performed each year and most of these people are given elastic stockings to wear. Stockings cost the NHS a lot of money and it remains unknown if they work.

This study will investigate if it is worthwhile to continue using elastic stockings in people having surgery where the risk of developing blood clots is low. Adults (over 18-years) who are at low risk of developing blood clots (assessed using a nationally recognised tool) will be included.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
21472
Inclusion Criteria
  • Adults (18-59 years of age) scheduled to undergo a surgical procedure with a hospital stay <48 hours
  • Individuals assessed as being at low-risk of developing VTE as per the DHRA Tool (i.e. no assessed thrombosis risk factors / scoring 0)
Exclusion Criteria
  • Individuals with a contraindication to GCS
  • Individuals assessed as being at moderate or high-risk of VTE as per the DHRA tool
  • Individuals requiring therapeutic anticoagulation
  • Individuals with thrombophilia/ thrombogenic disorder
  • Individuals with a previous history of VTE
  • Individuals requiring intermittent pneumatic compression therapy beyond theatre and recovery
  • Individuals requiring extended thromboprophylaxis beyond discharge
  • Female patients of childbearing age who have a positive pregnancy test
  • Individuals with lower limb immobilisation
  • Inability to provide informed consent

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Intervention - The provision of graduated compression stockingsGraduated Compression Stockings - Thromboembolic deterrent stockingsCentres randomised to the intervention arm, which is the current standard of care, will consist of participants receiving Graduated Compression Stockings (GCS). Clinical staff (e.g. theatre support workers) will issue stockings to all patients who are scheduled to undergo short-stay surgery. Participants will be instructed to wear their stockings just before undergoing the surgical procedure and to remove the stockings as soon as they are ambulant (i.e. after the procedure).
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
The rate of symptomatic VTE within 90 days90-days

The rate of symptomatic VTE for surgical patients undergoing short-stay procedures assessed as being at low-risk of VTE

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Mortality90-days
Quality of Life7 and 90-days

Quality of Life assessed using the EQ-5D

Health Economic Outcome2 years

Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER)

Adverse events related to GCS7-days

Adverse events related to GCS for those in the intervention arm only

Trial Locations

Locations (9)

Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

🇬🇧

Barnsley, United Kingdom

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

🇬🇧

Camberley, United Kingdom

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

🇬🇧

Stockton-on-Tees, United Kingdom

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

🇬🇧

Middlesbrough, United Kingdom

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

🇬🇧

Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Imperial College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

🇬🇧

London, United Kingdom

Sherwood Forest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

🇬🇧

Nottingham, United Kingdom

Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

🇬🇧

East Grinstead, United Kingdom

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

🇬🇧

Taunton, United Kingdom

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