title: Thromboembolic prophylaxis for total knee arthroplasty in Asian patients: a randomised controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy and safety of different modes of thromboembolic prophylaxis for elective total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in Asian patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  440 low-risk patients undergoing TKA were randomised into 4 equal groups: (1) no prophylaxis (control), (2) graduated compression stockings (GCS), (3) intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC), and (4) low-molecular-weight heparin (enoxaparin). Duplex ultrasonography was used as an assessment tool.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The deep vein thrombosis point prevalence was highest in the control group (22%), which was significantly higher than in patients receiving IPC (8%, p=0.032) or enoxaparin (6%, p=0.001). One patient each in the control and GCS groups developed a non-fatal pulmonary embolism. Patients on enoxaparin received more blood transfusions and 2 of them had major bleeding complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IPC is the preferred method of thromboprophylaxis for TKA in Asian patients.
authors.affiliation: Adult Reconstructive Team, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore. chinpl@singnet.com.sg
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Amin
authors.forename: K Y
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Yeo
authors.forename: N N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Lo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects*; D044466:Asian People; D017984:Enoxaparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D048228:Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Devices; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053828:Stockings, Compression; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D017984:Enoxaparin; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents