Prevention of Lower Extremity Venous Thrombosis by Early Mobilization

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Abstract
To determine the effects of early ambulation on peripheral venous thrombosis in the coronary care unit, 29 patients with acute myocardial infarction had daily 125I-fibrinogen point counting of both legs using a standard portable technique in the first 3-7 days after admission. Patients (21) underwent early ambulation during the initial 3 days, while 8 remained at complete bed rest for 5 days. Only 2 of 21 early ambulated patients had positive fibrinogen point counts, in contrast to 5 of 8 nonambulated patients (P < 0.01). With heart failure, only 2 of 9 ambulated patients had positive point counts, compared with 4 of 5 nonambulated patients (P < 0.05). In 16 patients undergoing venography, point counts were confirmed in 6 positive and 10 negative findings. The high frequency of peripheral venous thrombosis in immobilized acute myocardial infarction patients, particularly those with heart failure, can be effectively reduced by early ambulation.

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