Thromboprophylaxis after total hip arthroplasty

Author:
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
With the volume of total hip arthroplasty (THA) procedures performed in the US projected to increase significantly over the next 2 decades, preventing postsurgical complications, such as venous thromboembolism (VTE), has become a critical factor in reducing morbidity and mortality in the orthopaedic setting. Anticoagulation has typically involved the use of subcutaneous agents such as low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and fondaparinux or oral agents such as warfarin. Despite their efficacy, these agents all have substantial drawbacks and pose adherence challenges for patients and management challenges for orthopaedic surgeons and other providers. The next generation of anticoagulants, which includes the direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran etexilate and the Factor Xa inhibitors, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban, are being used to provide safe and effective oral agents that do not require routine monitoring. Phase III studies involving these agents have shown either noninferiority or superiority over LMWH and have a comparable safety profile.

This publication has 18 references indexed in Scilit: