title: Enoxaparin prophylaxis in elective hip surgery.
abstract: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial to determine the efficacy and safety of enoxaparin for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis in patients undergoing elective hip surgery was performed. Prophylaxis, with enoxaparin in a dose of 30 mg subcutaneously twice daily, was begun post-operatively and continued for 14 days. Deep vein thrombosis occurred in 6 (12%) of 50 patients in the enoxaparin group and 21 (42%) of 50 patients in the placebo group (p = 0.0007). Proximal vein thrombosis occurred in two (4%) of the enoxaparin group and 10 (20%) of the placebo group (p = 0.014). Two patients in the placebo group and two in the enoxaparin group developed haemorrhagic complications. This study indicates that fixed-dose enoxaparin begun post-operatively is effective and safe for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis in patients undergoing elective hip replacement.
authors.affiliation: McMaster University, Department of Medicine, Hamilton Civic Hospitals, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Turpie
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006622:Hip Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D010919:Placebos; D010992:Plethysmography, Impedance; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D010919:Placebos