For edema management, what is the on-time and off-time cycle for intermittent compression?

For edema management, what is the on-time and off-time cycle for intermittent compression?

• A. 60-120 seconds on / 60 seconds off
• B. 15-30 seconds on / 45-90 seconds off
• C. 45-90 seconds on / 15-30 seconds off
• D. 30-60 seconds on / 30-60 seconds off

Answer: (C)

Intermittent compression helps edema by cyclically inflating the cuffs to push fluid proximally and then briefly releasing to allow reperfusion and lymphatic flow. The most effective cycle keeps the inflation long enough to move fluid but allows a short deflation period so tissues aren’t held under constant pressure and to keep patient comfort. A typical pattern is 45–90 seconds of inflation followed by 15–30 seconds of deflation. This provides a sustained pumping effect while preventing edema from reaccumulating during a long off phase. Shorter inflation times or much longer rest periods tend to reduce the effectiveness of fluid movement, making the 45–90 seconds on with 15–30 seconds off the best fit.

Intermittent compression helps edema by cyclically inflating the cuffs to push fluid proximally and then briefly releasing to allow reperfusion and lymphatic flow. The most effective cycle keeps the inflation long enough to move fluid but allows a short deflation period so tissues aren’t held under constant pressure and to keep patient comfort. A typical pattern is 45–90 seconds of inflation followed by 15–30 seconds of deflation. This provides a sustained pumping effect while preventing edema from reaccumulating during a long off phase. Shorter inflation times or much longer rest periods tend to reduce the effectiveness of fluid movement, making the 45–90 seconds on with 15–30 seconds off the best fit.