title: Thromboembolic prophylaxis for patients with a fracture of the proximal femur.
abstract: Patients with a fracture of the proximal femur are at high risk for thromboembolic complications necessitating some form of preoperative and postoperative thromboembolic prophylaxis. Despite the knowledge that patients with a proximal femur fracture are at particularly high risk for both deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, there is no consensus on which strategy is most effective at preventing thromboembolic events in this patient population. The pathophysiology and associated risk factors for thromboembolic complications in this patient population are discussed. We present a review of studies that address the efficacy and safety of both mechanical and pharmacological methods of thromboembolic prophylaxis to assist the orthopedic surgeon in selecting among the different modalities available for thromboembolic prophylaxis.
authors.affiliation: New York University-Hospital for Joint Diseases, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Craig J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Della Valle
authors.forename: Edwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mirzabeigi
authors.forename: Joseph D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Zuckerman
authors.forename: Kenneth J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Koval
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001458:Bandages; D003911:Dextrans / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D003911:Dextrans; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D014859:Warfarin; D006493:Heparin; D001241:Aspirin