Prevention

High-risk cases

• thigh-length intermittent pneumatic compression ^{a b}

Why?

• It reduces venous thromboembolism ^{a b} , and when combined with heparin, it reduces PE better than heparin alone. ^a
• It is cost-effective. ^b
• Calf pneumatic compression is not clearly as safe as thigh pneumatic compression during major urological surgery. ^d

Pneumatic compression reduces venous thromboembolism

Patient	Treatment	Comparison	Outcome	CER	RRR	NNT (95% CI)
elective total hip replacement a	thigh-length intermittent pneumatic compression	nothing	venous thromboembolism at 3 months	49%	51% (30 to 72)	4 (3 to 7)
open heart surgery a	pneumatic compression and heparin	heparin	symptomatic PE at 30 days	4.0%	50% (17 to 83)	50 (30 to 150)