BACKGROUND: Current methods of posttraumatic thromboprophylaxis (heparins and sequential compression devices) are inadequate. New methods should be tested. Muscle electrostimulation (MEST) has been used over the years with mixed-but predominantly encouraging-results for a variety of conditions, including prevention of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). It has not been tested in multiple trauma patients. METHODS: Trauma patients with Injury Severity Score higher than 9 who were admitted to the intensive care unit and had a contraindication for prophylactic heparinization were randomized to groups MEST and control. MEST patients received 30-minute MEST sessions twice daily for 7 to 14 days. Venous flow velocity and venous diameter were measured by duplex venous scan. Venography-or, if not available, duplex-was used to evaluate the presence of proximal and peripheral DVT between days 7 and 15. RESULTS: After exclusions, 26 MEST and 21 control patients completed the study and received outcome evaluation by venography (25) or duplex (22). Three patients in each group developed proximal DVT (11.5% versus 14%, p = 0.79), and an additional 4 (15%) MEST group and 3 (14%) control group patients developed peripheral DVT (p = 0.96). There was no difference in venous flow velocity or venous diameter between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: MEST was not effective in decreasing DVT rates in major trauma patients.

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