A Randomised Control Trial to Establish if Use of the gekoTM (Trademark) Post Infra-inguinal Surgical Vein Revascularisation Increases Flow Through the Graft

The geko™ device, (CE 558928;British Standards Institute notified body 0086), wearable, discrete, self-contained stimulation unit that adheres to the skin (see www.gekodevices.com). The, geko™ produces small electrical impulses that gently activate the common peroneal nerve within the popliteal fossa, behind the knee, in turn activating the venous muscle pumps of the calf and foot. Substantive increases in lower limb blood flow have been demonstrated to improve arterial, venous and microcirculatory blood flow with no reported morbidity.

RATIONALE Early infra-inguinal graft failure, i.e. occurring within 30 days of surgery occurs in approximately 5% of patients16. It is known that the predominant cause of this is thrombosis. The geko™ is an electrical device placed over the common peroneal nerve alongside the knee. The device activates muscle contraction in the peronei using low intensity, low frequency (1Hz) stimulation. The muscle contraction expresses blood from the deep venous system. Application of the stimulation device over the peroneal nerve is suitable for practical purposes. Previous studies have shown that the geko™ substantively increases arterial, venous and microcirculatory blood flow in healthy volunteers. A significant decrease in Tissue Plasminogen Activator antigen has also been demonstrated which indicates increased fibrinolytic activity3. Application of the geko™ device should therefore decrease stasis and increase flow though the graft and as such reduce the risk of thrombosis and as such graft failure.

Study:

Environmental Conditions The examinations will be carried out in a designated temperature controlled clinical room in the Vascular Lab at Hull Royal Infirmary. Participants will be required to abstain from vigorous exercise, nicotine, caffeine and fatty foods prior to their examination. They will be required to wear light garments with their legs exposed.

The geko™ device will be applied to outer/ posterior aspect of the knee whilst the subjects are semi-recumbent, with their knees flexed. The participants will be given 30 minutes in the quiet, environmentally controlled room prior to commencement of measurement to enable equilibration.