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Patients with stroke have an especially high risk for venous thromboembolism (an estimated 20%–42%). The CLOTS 3 trial is a multicenter, parallel-group, randomized, partially manufacturer-funded trial assessing the effect of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices on deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients who are immobile after stroke. A total of 2876 patients were randomized to receive IPC or no IPC (control). The primary outcome was 30-day detection of DVT in the proximal leg veins on compression Doppler ultrasound.
Significantly fewer IPC patients than controls had DVT (8.5% vs. 12.1%; absolute risk reduction, 3.6%). Six-month mortality was significantly lower in the IPC group (adjusted cumulative hazard ratio, 0.86). About one t…