| Title | Thromboembolism after total knee arthroplasty: intermittent pneumatic compression and aspirin prophylaxis. | | Author(s) | Larson CM, MacMillan DP, Lachiewicz PF | | Institution | Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27599-7055, USA. | | Source | J South Orthop Assoc 2001; 10(3):155-63; discussion 163. | | MeSH | Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee
Aspirin
Bandages
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Postoperative Complications
Pressure
Prospective Studies
Thromboembolism
| | Abstract | This is a study of two consecutive antithromboembolism regimens after total knee arthroplasty. In group 1, 131 patients were given aspirin prophylaxis alone (650 mg by mouth twice a day). In group 2, 123 patients were treated with aspirin, knee-high compression stockings, and intermittent knee-high pneumatic compression devices, which were started intraoperatively. The prevalence of deep vein thrombosis in group 1 was 15.9% (21 of 131 patients). One patient had a possible symptomatic nonfatal pulmonary embolism, and one patient had a symptomatic calf thrombus. Asymptomatic thrombi were detected in calf veins in 9 patients, popliteal vein in 6 patients, and femoral vein in 5 patients. In Group 2, the prevalence was 7.4% (9 of 123 patients). Asymptomatic thrombi were located in calf veins in 6 patients, popliteal vein in 1 patient, and femoral vein in 2 patients. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of deep vein thrombosis between the two groups. A history of previous thromboembolism was a significant risk factor for a new thrombus. The prevalence after bilateral one-stage knee arthroplasty was 24.3% for group 1 and 12.5% for group 2. Aspirin and knee-high intermittent pneumatic compression together are more effective than aspirin alone for prevention of deep vein thrombosis after primary and revision knee arthroplasty. | | Language | eng | | Pub Type(s) | Journal Article
| | PubMed ID | 12132827 |
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