Fixed low-dose versus adjusted higher-dose warfarin following orthopedic surgery. A randomized prospective trial.
Orthopedic patients are at a high risk for developing venous thromboembolism, yet only a fraction of eligible patients receive anticoagulation prophylaxis after hospital discharge. This pilot study compared the efficacy of a fixed 2 mg/d dose of warfarin versus an adjusted higher dose of warfarin for 1 month after discharge to prevent the development of proximal leg deep venous thrombosis among recently discharged orthopedic patients. After standard inhospital treatment with adjusted higher-dose warfarin and a predischarge leg ultrasound to exclude deep venous thrombosis, 96 orthopedic patients were randomized just prior to discharge to either fixed low-dose (n = 49) or adjusted higher-dose warfarin (n = 47). At the 6-week follow-up evaluation, ultrasonographically confirmed, asymptomatic, proximal leg deep venous thrombosis occurred in two patients (4%). Both patients were randomized to the fixed low-dose group, although one remained on adjusted higher-dose warfarin throughout the trial. No patient in either group developed major bleeding complications. Further studies should be undertaken to further test fixed low-dose warfarin for venous thromboembolic prevention in high-risk orthopedic patients.
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
M G
MG
Wilson
L F
LF
Pei
K M
KM
Malone
J F
JF
Polak
M A
MA
Creager
S Z
SZ
Goldhaber
D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013997:Time Factors; D014859:Warfarin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014859:Warfarin