Preventing the Development of Venous Insufficiency in Pregnant Women Through Use of Compression Stockings: A Randomized Pilot Study

Problem: There are approximately four million live births in the United States annually. Pregnancy induces multisystemic physiologic changes in the mother as her body accommodates the growing fetus. Known physiologic alterations include venous distension, hypercoagulability, and hormonal changes. Anecdotal data suggests that these particular factors precipitate the development of venous insufficiency. As venous insufficiency progresses, complications ensue, the most severe of which include superficial thrombophlebitis and deep venous thrombosis. Although the fear of deep venous thrombus (DVT) has been well publicized, its prevention and actual prevalence in the pregnant population has not been adequately studied.

The precise mechanism of venous insufficiency has yet to be elucidated. However, several known risk factors exist. They include female gender and hormonal changes associated with elevated progesterone levels such as oral contraceptive use, certain exogenous hormonal replacement medications, and pregnancy. Clearly, the pregnant state places the mother at additive risk for subsequent development of venous insufficiency.

Medical management of venous insufficiency consists of compression stocking use, and some physicians do recommend their use to pregnant patients. However, this practice is by no means standard of care, despite its noninvasive application and safety. The precise mechanism through which compression stockings work is largely theoretical; however, it is believed that the extrinsic graduated compression works by preventing venous hypertension in the distal lower extremity, thereby preventing venous insufficiency and its associated complications.

Research hypothesis: The investigators hypothesize that compression stocking use will be associated with lower incidence of varicose veins and, in those patients who already have varicose veins, lower incidence of complications associated with venous insufficiency, particularly superficial thrombophlebitis and deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Further, the investigators believe that compression stocking use will be associated with a lower incidence or lessening of symptoms associated with venous insufficiency, such as edema, fatigue, venous stasis dermatitis, and venous neuropathy (burning).

Importance: While some may feel that varicose veins, edema, fatigue, and other outcomes are unimportant, an undetected DVT is commonly a fatal event. Even if detected promptly, DVT is associated with long term morbidity, such as post thrombotic syndrome which can occur in up to 30% of those patients diagnosed with a DVT. Treatment of a DVT requires anticoagulation which, although essential, carries significant risk to both mother and fetus. The prevention or reduction in incidence of DVT in this population merely with compression stocking use would revolutionize care in the pregnant population. Further, this intervention is safe and noninvasive.