Prevention of deep vein thrombosis in knee arthroplasty. Preliminary results from a randomized controlled study of low molecular weight heparin vs foot pump compression.
BACKGROUND
We evaluated in a randomized controlled study the possibility to use foot pump mechanical compression compared to routine LMWH as prophylaxis against deep vein thrombosis during knee arthroplasty.


METHODS
Forty patients were included in this preliminary report. Eleven patients withdrew, usually during the early phase of the study.


RESULTS
Among the 29 patients completing a venography, 27% in the compression group and none in the LMWH group had a DVT. This difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). One further patient in the compression group died from pulmonary embolism 17 days postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
With the present study protocol, mechanical foot pump compression failed to be as efficient as LMWH prophylaxis.
Norgren
L
L
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Lund University, Sweden.
Toksvig-Larsen
S
S
Magyar
G
G
Lindstrand
A
A
Albrechtsson
U
U
D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D001458:Bandages; D017984:Enoxaparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011312:Pressure; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D017984:Enoxaparin