# The ROle of Compression StocKings in Heart Failure Patients > **NIH NIH R21** · UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER · 2024 · $225,233 ## Abstract Project Summary: Heart failure (HF) affects 6.2 million patients in the United States and was responsible of 13.4% of deaths in 2018 costing about 30.7 billion USD in 2012, and about 80% of all the patients with HF are >65 years old. Clinical manifestations include shortness of breath and peripheral edema. Diuretics are indicated to treat edema in patients with HF, however, its use is limited in patients with compromised kidney function. Peripheral edema is associated with pain, heavy legs, limited mobility, and poor quality of life, increasing the risk of cellulitis, and wounds. Heart failure was identified in up to 44% of patients with venous ulcers. The chronic use of compression stockings in HF patients has potential benefits such as a better control of the edema, decreasing the need for diuretics, improving mobility, prevention of progression of venous disease, and prevention of venous ulcers. To date, no major HF guidelines recommend in favor or against compression stockings in HF patients. The objective of this R21 proposal is to study the role of the compression stockings in preventing edema and venous disease in heart failure patients. Our hypothesis We hypothesize that the use of compression stockings will prevent developing or worsening venous disease (venous reflux, and venous ulcers), improving the edema of the lower extremities, mobility, and quality of life in HF patients without increasing the risk of HF deterioration, hospitalization, or death In Aim 1 we are planning to randomize patients to high degree (20-30 mmHg) vs. low degree (10-15 mmHg) compression stockings for 3 months and evaluate for clinical sign and symptoms of deterioration of heart failure, as well as need to change in diuretic therapy at the end of the therapy. In Aim 2a we are planning to evaluate if high degree compression stockings are associated with a difference in time of valve closure (venous reflux) by venous duplex ultrasound at 3 months. In Aim 2b we are planning to evaluate if high degree compression stockings are associated with a difference in clinical signs of venous disease at 3 months. In Aim 3 we are planning to evaluate if high degree compression stockings are associated with improvement in mobility and quality of life at 3 months. The contribution with this project is significant as edema and venous disease are very morbid condition in patients with heart failure, and a simple and preventive measure such as compression stockings, could be safe and easily implemented. Our project is innovative as we are planning to use compression stockings in patients with heart failure, something that physicians are reluctant to use due to possible decompensation and fluid overload. On the other hand, we consider that it could be easily implemented and prevent advanced venous disease. ## Key facts - **NIH application ID:** 11186669 - **Project number:** 7R21AG080424-03 - **Recipient organization:** UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER - **Principal Investigator:** Rafael S. Cires-Drouet - **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.) - **Funding institute:** NIH - **Fiscal year:** 2024 - **Award amount:** $225,233 - **Award type:** 7 - **Project period:** 2023-08-01 → 2026-04-30 ## Primary source NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11186669 ## Citation > US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11186669, The ROle of Compression StocKings in Heart Failure Patients (7R21AG080424-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11186669. Licensed CC0. --- *[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*