Methods In this outcome-blinded, randomised controlled trial, 2518 patients who were admitted to hospital within
1 week of an acute stroke and who were immobile were enrolled from 64 centres in the UK, Italy, and Australia.
Patients were allocated via a central randomisation system to routine care plus thigh-length GCS (n=1256) or to
routine care plus avoidance of GCS (n=1262). A technician who was blinded to treatment allocation undertook
compression Doppler ultrasound of both legs at about 7–10 days and, when practical, again at 25–30 days after
enrolment. The primary outcome was the occurrence of symptomatic or asymptomatic DVT in the popliteal or femoral
veins. Analyses were by intention to treat. This study is registered, number ISRCTN28163533.