Which condition is not listed as an indication for intermittent compression therapy?

• A. Venous stasis ulcer
• B. Intermittent claudication
• C. Lymphedema
• D. Acute pulmonary edema

Answer: (D)

Intermittent compression therapy works by sequentially squeezing the limbs to move blood and fluid back toward the heart, reducing edema and helping venous return. Because of this mechanism, it’s used for problems driven by venous insufficiency or lymphatic fluid buildup—such as venous stasis ulcers and lymphedema—where improving venous or lymphatic drainage aids healing and swelling control.

When a patient has intermittent claudication, the underlying issue is arterial insufficiency from peripheral artery disease. Compressing the limbs can compromise arterial blood flow further, so this is not an indication for IPC and is often a contraindication or used with extreme caution.

Acute pulmonary edema presents a different problem: the heart cannot handle extra volume, and increasing venous return with compression can worsen pulmonary congestion and respiratory status. So this condition is not suitable for IPC; it’s actually a contraindication.

Thus, the condition that is not listed as an indication for intermittent compression therapy is acute pulmonary edema.