title: Aspirin for lower limb arthroplasty thromboprophylaxis: review of international guidelines.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aspirin is one of the pharmacological agents used for thromboprophylaxis.
  
  
  METHODS
  National thromboprophylaxis guidelines, peer-reviewed studies and data from national joint register of England and Wales were analysed for evidence regarding the efficacy of aspirin versus other agents in thromboprophylaxis and the recommendations of guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two of five guidelines reviewed recommend the use of aspirin for thromboprophylaxis. Aspirin is used as thromboprophylactic agent in approximately 25% of patients undergoing total hip and total knee arthroplasty in year 2006 in England and Wales. There is no difference in mortality in these patients compared to patients on other pharmacological agents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is conflicting evidence and differences in interpretation of the data from the literature. If specific outcome measures and complications such as symptomatic DVT, PE and bleeding were logged in arthroplasty registers, the resulting data would be useful in individualised decision-making.
authors.affiliation: Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. donohoe.claire@gmail.com
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Donohoe
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Sayana
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thakral
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Niall
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077425:Fondaparinux; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000601:surgery; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D011134:Polysaccharides; D000077425:Fondaparinux; D001241:Aspirin