Effects of Intermittent Pneumatic Leg Compression on Peripheral Circulation and Systemic Hemodynamics During Hemodialysis

〉 Applying intermittent pneumatic compression （ IPC ） to the legs as a prophylactic physiotherapy for deep-vein thrombosis mechanically increases venous return from the lower limbs. We examined the effect of IPC on peripheral circulation and systemic hemodynamics during hemodialysis （ HD ) . Peripheral circulation in the distal part of the legs was estimated using a perfusion index （ PI ） that was determined based on the theory of pulse oximetery. Systemic hemodynamics were estimated using the changes in circulatory blood volume （ ％ D BV ） determined by continuous hematocrit measurement during HD and circulatory plasma volume （ ％ D CPV ） determined by the total plasma protein concentration before and after HD. Effects of the changes in peripheral ／ circulation on solutes removal were estimated by the clear space rate （ clear space of solute ／ total body fluid ： CSR ） ／ and the fractional urea clearance （ Kt ／ V ) . There was a linear decline in ％ D BV from the beginning of HD, while PI progressively declined from 60 minutes after the beginning of HD. When IPC was applied, the decline of ％ D BV was significantly suppressed from 60 minutes after the beginning of HD, and the decline of PI, though not