From AAOS: MCS Reports New Data to Support its Compression Technology After Total-Joint Surgery

During this year’s annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in Las Vegas, Nev., (March 24-28), Medical Compression Systems Inc. reported new data to further validate its DVT prophylaxis compression system following total-joint replacement procedures.
 
The study was selected as the best poster in the adult reconstruction category during AAOS.
 
“These encouraging results demonstrate that using a mobile compression device offers comparable efficacy for preventing thromboemboli, while introducing a significantly lower risk of associated complications,” said Ryan M. Nunley, M.D., associate professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Washington School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo. “Furthermore, issues associated with drainage, bleeding events and wound problems were significantly lower in the standard risk patient group, which are critical factors that contribute to an overall higher level of patient satisfaction and reduced hospital readmissions.”
 
The study was designed to prospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of the ActiveCare mobile compression device and warfarin (a commonly prescribed blood thinner) for preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) post-operatively, and to monitor patient satisfaction following each treatment regimen. VTE includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT, a blood clot in a deep vein in the lower extremities) and pulmonary embolism, in which a blood clot becomes dislodged and migrates to the lungs.
 
Among 2,722 participants, 1,888 received standard-risk therapy and 834 received high-risk therapy. Standard-risk patients wore ActiveCare for 10 days following elective total joint replacement of the hip or knee and took aspirin 325 mg twice daily for six weeks post-operatively. High-risk patients received adjusted-dose warfarin for four weeks and wore compression stockings for six weeks post-operatively.
 
Patients were followed prospectively for six months and monitored for bleeding complications, symptomatic VTEs, hospital readmissions and patient satisfaction with the two VTE prophylaxis treatment approaches. The rate of VTEs at four to six weeks were nearly identical in the standard risk and high risk groups (0.6 percent and 0.4 percent respectively) and no differences were found based on the type of joint replacement procedure. Drainage of greater than or equal to four days, rate of major bleeding events, and rate of wound problems were significantly higher in the high-risk group than in the standard group (21 percent vs. 14 percent, 2.0 vs. 0.3 percent, and 1.3 percent vs. 0.2 percent, respectively). Patients who were treated with ActiveCare were consistently more satisfied at two weeks and at four to six weeks vs. those who received high-risk anticoagulation therapy, according to the company.
 
“These study results add to a growing body of evidence demonstrating that ActiveCare is clinically equivalent to anticoagulant therapy for preventing VTE post-operatively, with a significant decrease in complications and a high degree of patient satisfaction,” said Timothy McCarthy, CEO of MCS. “As part of our ongoing efforts to support the needs of the orthopedic surgery community to deliver outstanding clinical results in the most cost-effective manner possible, we are actively working with scientific investigators to conduct additional research to not only reinforce the outstanding DVT prophylaxis ActiveCare delivers, but also to further demonstrate the value our offering brings to the entire health care system.”
 
Founded in 1997, Medical Compression Systems Ltd. is a publicly traded company based in Israel.  The firm’s U.S. division is located in West Hills, Calif.

MCS can be found on the AAOS exhibit floor in booth 3231.