title: Prophylaxis of thromboembolic disease and platelet-related changes following total hip replacement: a comparative study of aspirin and heparin-dihydroergotamine.
abstract: A prospective study involving 120 consecutive patients undergoing total hip replacement was performed to compare the effectiveness of aspirin (high and low dose) or a combination of heparin plus dihydroergotamine (heparin-DHE) in preventing isotopic and phlebographic deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and to evaluate their effect on postoperative platelet changes. Phlebographic DVT was demonstrated in 9 cases (30%) in control group, in 1 (3.3%) in aspirin (high-dose) group (p less than 0.01), in 1 (3.3%) in aspirin (low-dose) group (p less than 0.01) and in 5 (16.6%) in heparin-DHE group (p = NS). Aspirin was able to reduce the postoperative increase in circulating platelet aggregates, platelet factor 4 and beta-thromboglobulin observed in control group. This study shows that aspirin is effective in the prevention of DVT for patients undergoing total hip replacement. Small aspirin dose (250 mg/day) represents an effective form of prophylaxis in these patients.
mesh_terms: D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001791:Blood Platelet Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004087:Dihydroergotamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D006622:Hip Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D010976:Platelet Count; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012306:Risk; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; C031388:heparin-dihydergot; D004087:Dihydroergotamine; D006493:Heparin; D001241:Aspirin