Circumferential Negative Intermittent Pressure to the Midarm Does Not Impair Digital O2 Saturation: A Randomized Controlled Study

BACKGROUNDCircumferential negative pressure wound therapy is commonly used to manage wounds and enhance the healing process. A theoretical concern was recently raised that circumferential negative pressure wound therapy may have a negative effect on perfusion distally. METHODSIn a randomized study, we applied circumferential negative pressure (125 mm Hg) to the midarm of 13 healthy volunteers through InfoV.A.C. Therapy Unit device. The pressure was applied intermittently (5 minutes on and 2 minutes off) for 9 hours. The same device without negative pressure was applied to the contralateral midarm as control. Bilateral index finger O2 saturation (SpO2) was measured every 30 minutes using digital pulse oximetry. RESULTSMean (SD) age of the volunteers was 32.2 (9.5) years, and 61.5% were male. Mean (SD) area under the curve from time 0 to 9 hours of SpO2 was 890.56 (6.69) and 889.71 (6.23) %xh in the intervention and control arms, respectively (P = 0.35). O2 saturation was ≥94% at all observation times in both arms, and no adverse events were identified. CONCLUSIONSCircumferential negative intermittent pressure of 125 mm Hg applied to the midarm of healthy volunteers for 9 hours does not adversely affect digital SpO2.