Medical Conference in Hietzing, Vienna Explains Why Posthorax Vest Works So Well

Biomechanical pressure sensors tell the tale

The Posthorax vest has been proven repeatedly, across multiple independent studies, to:

• Reduce pain as a result of deep sternal wound complications
• Improve the post-op convalescence experience
• Reduce the overall post-op convalescence time
• Improve quality of life

Cardiac surgeons wanted to know precisely why. To discover this, they conducted a study to determine the exact biomechanical forces around the thoracic area when using the Posthorax vest compared to when using only bandages.

The study was performed by M. Gorlitzer et al and released in a paper titled “Comparison of thorax support systems after median sternotomy: Evaluation of force distributions in a biomechanical analysis.” (Median sternotomy is the name of the procedure where the breastbone is cut in half to give the cardiac surgeon full access to the thoracic organs.)

On Monday, February 14, 2011, the results were presented at a conference in Vienna.

By placing highly sensitive pressure sensors underneath the the Posthorax vest, it was possible to precisely measure the pressure distribution in patients during:

• Normal breathing
• Coughing
• Arm movement

Patients who wore a bandage instead of the Posthorax vest were also fitted with the same sensors.

The sensors revealed that the Posthorax vest was “superior” to bandages in furnishing the required support pressure at the back of the chest and around the sternum during normal breathing.

During coughing, the Posthorax vest excelled, revealing a “significant higher pressure” in the front and back of the thorax.

Lack of proper counter-pressure during coughing is a major cause of the sternum wound reopening, resulting in urgent need for re-operation. Complications of this type can lead to mortality. Using a properly fitted Posthorax vest greatly reduces this eventuality.