人工关节置换术后下肢深静脉血栓形成的危险因素分析

目的：探讨下肢深静脉血栓形成的危险因素.方法：对我院接受髋关节置换（THA）或膝关节置换（TKA）的185例患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析,以术后发生下肢深静脉血栓（DVT）的患者58例为DVT组,未发生DVT的127例患者为无DVT对照组.结果：185例关节置换手术患者中DVT发生率为31.4％ （58/185）,其中21例接受THA手术（21/118,17.8％）,37例接受TKA手术（37/67,55.2％）;血栓形成部位：腓肠肌静脉血栓38例,胫后静脉20例.x2检验显示两组年龄≥65岁,人体质量指数（BMI）≥25kg/m2,膝关节置换术,全身麻醉,有静脉血栓栓塞症（VTE）家族史者有显著差异（P＜0.05～＜0.01）;Logistic多因素分析显示年龄（OR=8.352,P=0.006）,BMI （OR=4.639,P=0.011）,麻醉方式（OR=7.345,P=0.008）,手术方式（OR=3.235,P=0.018）,VTE家族史（OR=7.749,P=0.007）均为DVT独立危险因素.结论：为降低关节置换手术的下肢深静脉血栓风险,应注意降低体重,改进麻醉和手术方式.     

Effects of a Foot Pump on the Incidence of Deep Vein Thrombosis After Total Knee Arthroplasty in Patients Given Edoxaban: A Randomized Controlled Study

We conducted a randomized clinical trial to compare the effectiveness of the A-V Impulse System foot pump for reducing the incidence of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients under edoxaban thromboprophylaxis.Patients undergoing primary TKA at our institution between September 2013 and March 2015 were enrolled after obtaining informed consent. The patients were randomized to use the foot pump (n = 58) and not to use the foot pump (n = 62). Both groups were given prophylactic edoxaban. Primary outcomes were any DVT as detected by bilateral ultrasonography up to postoperative day 10 (POD10) and pulmonary embolism (PE) up to POD28. The safety outcomes were bleeding and death of any cause up to POD28. Plasma D-dimer levels were measured before TKA and on POD10 after TKA. Immunoglobulin G (IgG)-class anti-PF4/heparin antibodies were measured using an IgG-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The incidences of any DVT up to POD28 were 31.0% and 17.7% in patients with or without the foot pump, respectively. The incidences of major bleeding up to POD28 were 5.1% and 4.8% in patients with or without the foot pump, respectively. Foot pump use did not significantly reduce the incidence of DVTs in patients undergoing TKA under edoxaban thromboprophylaxis. Although seroconversion of anti-PF4/heparin antibodies was confirmed in one-fourth of patients, the seroconversion rates did not differ between patients with (20.7%) or without (25.8%) foot pump use.This study shows that the A-V Impulse system foot pump did not affect the incidence of DVT under edoxaban thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing TKA. Seroconversion of anti-PF4/heparin antibodies was detected in a significant number of patients who underwent TKA under antithrombotic prophylaxis using edoxaban.     

Haemophilic; Arthropathy: Assessment of Quality of Life After Total Knee Arthroplasty

The goal of this study was to examine how the known effects of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) on clinical outcome parameters translate into improved quality of life, as measured with validated condition-specific and generic questionnaires (Knee Society Score, WOMAC, SF-12, transition questions), addressing physical, mental and social health. Eleven patients (13 knees) undergoing TKA from 1986 to 1994, with the diagnosis of severe haemophilic arthropathy of the knee, were followed-up over a 4-year period on average. TKA was found to reduce the burden of disease to levels similar to patients with osteoarthritis undergoing hip arthroplasty. Clinical and functional improvement after TKA translated into a substantial and significant increase in quality of life and patient satisfaction, found in objective as well as in patient-perceived measures. However, the physical functional ability did not reach the same level as in the corresponding population not affected by haemophilia, due to residual symptoms and impairment of other joints. Received: 30 September 1998 / Accepted: 17 March 1999     

Inability of serial fibrin monomer measurements to predict or exclude deep venous thrombosis in asymptomatic patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.

Fibrin monomer (FM) is a highly sensitive marker of venous thromboembolism and can be used to rule out deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism in symptomatic outpatients. The aim of the study was to investigate the usefulness of serial fibrin monomer determinations to predict or rule out DVT after total knee arthroplasty in asymptomatic patients. One hundred and thirty consecutive patients underwent total knee replacement. Blood samples were obtained in 104 of them the day before, at days 1, 3, 6 after surgery and at the day of phlebography. Phlebography was performed in all these patients between days 8 and 12 after surgery. There were 44 DVT (44/104, 42%). As compared with the patients without DVT, FM mean levels were 2 and 1.5 times higher in the DVT group at day 3 (P < 0.001) and day 6 (P < 0.01), respectively. However, no useful cut-off values for DVT prediction or exclusion could be determined due to the scattering of the values. Therefore, despite differences between patients with or without DVT, serial FM determinations are of no value for predicting or ruling out DVT in individual patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.     

Prevention of venous thromboembolism in high-risk surgical and medical patients

Although pharmacologic prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism has become the standard of care following total hip and knee replacement, prophylaxis among patients undergoing surgery for hip fracture and other lower extremity trauma remains underutilized. Available experience consistently supports the view that low-molecular-weight heparins are more effective than unfractionated heparin for prevention of proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with no additional hemorrhagic risk and more effective than oral anticoagulants for prevention of in-hospital (mostly distal) venous thrombosis at the price of a higher surgical site bleeding and wound hematoma. The choice between low-molecular-weight heparin and warfarin should be tailored to the individual patients based on the clinical assessment of postoperative thrombosis and bleeding risk as well as the prophylaxis-specific cost and convenience. Whether thromboprophylaxis should be continued for a few additional weeks after hospital discharge is controversial. The overall incidence of postoperative DVT in patients with cancer is about twice as high as that of patients free of malignancy. Accordingly, they require prophylactic measures comparable with those usually recommended for major orthopedic surgery. In this setting, dermatan sulfate shows promise. In contrast to surgical patients, prevention of venous thromboembolism is less well studied in hospitalized medical patients. In a recent controlled randomized trial, enoxaparin in high prophylactic doses was an effective and safe measure of thromboprophylaxis in ordinary bedridden patients.     

Outcome of Direct Oral Anticoagulant Treatment for Acute Lower Limb Deep Venous Thrombosis After Total Knee Arthroplasty Or Total Hip Arthroplasty

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the treatment outcomes of edoxaban and apixaban on deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in Japanese patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Methods: We examined 100 patients receiving edoxaban or apixaban to treat lower limb DVT. The primary efficacy outcome was defined as the disappearance of DVT at three months post-treatment. The primary safety outcome was the change in hemoglobin (Hb) value after two and seven days of treatment compared with baseline, which was the start of treatment with edoxaban or apixaban.

Results: The primary efficacy outcome occurred in 61 of the 70 patients (87.1%) in the edoxaban group and in 28 of the 30 patients (93.3%) in the apixaban group. There was no significant difference between the edoxaban and apixaban groups in the disappearance of DVT at three months (p?=?.497). The change in Hb value from baseline to two days post-treatment was ?0.53?±?0.98 in the edoxaban group and ?0.06?±?0.75 in the apixaban group (p?=?.010). At seven days post-treatment, the changes in Hb were ?0.03?±?1.60 and 0.30?±?0.68 (p?=?.007) in the edoxaban and apixaban groups, respectively.

Conclusion: Edoxaban and apixaban were equivalent in efficacy. However, apixaban was superior to edoxaban in terms of the change in Hb value. In cases of major bleeding, both edoxaban and apixaban need to be used carefully when treating DVT.     

Cost implications of low molecular weight heparins as prophylaxis following total hip and knee replacement

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are serious and costly complications of total hip and knee replacement surgery. The risk of these complications is significantly reduced by prophylaxis. Low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) are being used for this indication with increased frequency. The objective of this study was to assess the cost implications of LMWH for the prevention of symptomatic DVT and PE complications following total hip and knee replacement surgery. The study design was cost analysis based on utilization and the costs of medical resources for prophylaxis and treatment of DVT/PE. A retrospective hospital data set was used to assess symptomatic DVT/PE complication rates and medical resource utilization in patients receiving warfarin, other, and no prophylaxis. The results of a clinical trial were used to estimate relative reductions in risk of symptomatic DVT/PE due to prophylaxis with LMWH. The 7721 total hip and knee replacement patients analyzed were admitted in 1992 in 57 acute-care non-federal hospitals. The measurements were of incremental costs or charges expected to be saved as a result of using LMWH prophylaxis instead of warfarin prophylaxis. Prophylaxis using LMWH rather than warfarin reduces the expected total costs (charges) of treatment by $50 ($193), not including the pharmaceutical costs associated with prophylaxis. The cost reduction in favor of LMWH was sensitive to several factors, including blood monitoring costs and DVT/PE complication rates. Where a reduction of one day in hospital stay could be realized from LMWH's early onset of action, the cost (charges) reduction increased to $226 ($624). In conclusion, LMWH has the potential to offer several short- and long-term cost advantages compared with warfarin, mostly due to lower test costs associated with prophylaxis and reduced complication rates.     

The risk of contralateral total knee arthroplasty after knee replacement for osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common indication for total knee arthroplasty (TKA), but the rate of contralateral disease progression after unilateral TKA as well as risk factors that may predict progression have not been determined. We assessed the overall rate of contralateral knee replacement after initial TKA for OA as a marker of progression to advanced symptomatic OA. METHODS: A total of 117 consecutive patients undergoing unilateral TKA for OA between 1983 and 1988 were evaluated and followed longitudinally for up to 14 years. Evaluation of potential risk factors for progression to contralateral TKA included age, sex, side of surgery, body mass index (BMI), and Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grade. RESULTS: The contralateral knee progressed to TKA in 31 patients, yielding an overall 10-year risk of contralateral TKA of 37.2%. The baseline K-L grade of the contralateral knee was strongly correlated with future risk of TKA (p < 0.001). Mean survival times were similar for those with grade II (131.7 mo) and grade III (127.6 mo); patients with grade IV, however, had a mean survival of 80.5 months, with an overall 10-year risk of TKA of 62.7%. Age, sex, side of initial TKA, and BMI were not risk factors for progression to contralateral TKA. CONCLUSION: In this cohort, the K-L grading scale was a highly significant predictor for progression of contralateral OA to TKA. These data may provide important information to patients undergoing TKA, and shed light on the natural history of contralateral OA after TKA.     

Prolonged prophylaxis in orthopedic surgery: insights from the United States

The U.S. Hip and Knee Registry is a voluntary national registry of outcome data for hip and knee surgery. In total, 469 orthopedic surgeons from 325 hospitals reported data on 7677 patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) and 11,461 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Data on patients enrolled between 1996 and 2000 indicate that 40% of THA patients and 42% of TKA patients received prophylaxis for a period of 8 to 21 days, including the in-hospital period. Prolonged prophylaxis for more than 21 days was used in 49% of THA patients and 44% of TKA patients. Moreover, year on year, data indicate that the percentage of patients who receive prophylaxis for longer than 21 days is gradually increasing. In 2000, 53% of THA patients and 47% of TKA patients received prophylaxis for longer than 21 days.     

Therapeutic potential of apixaban in the prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing total knee replacement surgery

Anticoagulant prophylaxis for preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a worldwide established procedure in hip and knee replacement surgery. Despite available anticoagulant prophylaxis, patients who undergo total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have a high incidence of venous VTE. In spite of their proven efficacy, the currently available anticoagulants have limitations that driven to develop new oral agents that directly target specific factors in the coagulation cascade, such as direct thrombin inhibitors and direct Factor Xa inhibitors, in an attempt to overcome some of the drawbacks with the traditional agents. Apixaban is a potent, selective direct inhibitor of the coagulation factor Xa, recently approved in Europe for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in adult patients after total hip replacement (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. Apixaban has been extensively studied worldwide in about 12,000 patients in four clinical studies that have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of apixaban respect to enoxaparin for the prevention of thromboembolism after major orthopedic surgery. Three of these trials involved 7,337 patients who undergo TKR: one phase II trial (APROPOS Study) and two large phase III trials (ADVANCE 1 and ADVANCE 2 Studies). ADVANCE 1 demonstrated that when compared with enoxaparin 30 mg twice daily for efficacy, apixaban did not meet the prespecified statistical criteria for noninferiority, but its use was associated with lower rates of clinically relevant bleeding. ADVANCE 2 showed that apixaban was superior to the European standard dose of enoxaparin of 40 mg once daily in term of efficacy, with a similar incidence of major bleeding. This review focuses the clinical efficacy and tolerability of oral apixaban for the prevention of VTE in adult patients following TKR surgery.     

Venous thromboembolism following primary total knee arthroplasty.

AIM: Total knee arthroplasty is associated with a high postoperative incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Without thromboprophylaxis, as many as 80% of patients may develop deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Evidence suggests that pharmacological prophylaxis may not be offered due to concern of bleeding with anticoagulants. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical incidence of VTE and thromboprophylactic practice patterns over a 9-year period. Patient baseline characteristics, diagnosis, VTE risk factors, prophylactic modalities (mechanical and pharmacological), operation duration, type of prosthesis and fixation, mode of anesthesia, hospital length of stay (LOS) and postoperative complications with particular attention to suspected DVT and/or pulmonary embolism (PE) were analysed. RESULTS: Male to female ratio was 1:2.3, median age 71 (interquartile range, IQR: 65-77) years and hospital LOS of 8 (IQR: 7-11) days. The in-hospital VTE incidence was 3.9% (95% confidence interval, CI: 2.2-6.8%) with a possibly underestimated 3-month rate of 5.7% (95% CI: 1.6-18.6%). In-hospital proximal DVT incidence was 0.7% (95% CI: 0.2-2.5%) and 2.9% (95% CI: 0.5-14.5%) at 3 months. Non fatal PE was 0.7% (95% CI: 1.2-5%). DVT rate was higher with cemented prostheses (P=0.008), with a greater rate of bleeding when heparin was commenced preoperatively (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of in-hospital VTE was kept relatively low with the use of prophylactic protocols with all patients receiving prophylaxis. Given our one and a half and four-fold increase in the out of hospital VTE and proximal DVT incidence, consideration should be given to continued prophylaxis beyond hospitalization in this high-risk group of patients.     

A case of asymptomatic acute pulmonary embolism due to deep venous thrombosis after total knee arthroplasty in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

In the field of orthopedics, acute pulmonary embolism (APE) associated with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a serious complication following surgery and leads to death if undetected. Although an examination for the presence of APE after surgery has been well established in other countries, there are few reports on APE after orthopedic surgery in Japan. Here, we describe a case of asymptomatic APE associated with DVT after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Because it is difficult to determine the clinical features of APE prior to the initiation of angiography, we used a perfusion lung scan, which is a useful tool for detecting asymptomatic APE. We successfully identified APE in the TKA patient with RA, and continuous intravascular infusion of a thrombolytic agent and an anticoagulant was an effective treatment in this case. Our report clearly shows that a well-established procedure for diagnosis, as well as therapeutic guidelines, are essential for detecting systemic thromboembolism in patients after orthopedic surgery.     

A case of asymptomatic acute pulmonary embolism due to deep venous thrombosis after total knee arthroplasty in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

In the field of orthopedics, acute pulmonary embolism (APE) associated with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a serious complication following surgery and leads to death if undetected. Although an examination for the presence of APE after surgery has been well established in other countries, there are few reports on APE after orthopedic surgery in Japan. Here, we describe a case of asymptomatic APE associated with DVT after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Because it is difficult to determine the clinical features of APE prior to the initiation of angiography, we used a perfusion lung scan, which is a useful tool for detecting asymptomatic APE. We successfully identified APE in the TKA patient with RA, and continuous intravascular infusion of a thrombolytic agent and an anticoagulant was an effective treatment in this case. Our report clearly shows that a well-established procedure for diagnosis, as well as therapeutic guidelines, are essential for detecting systemic thromboembolism in patients after orthopedic surgery. Received: January 11, 2001 / Accepted: May 7, 2001     

Does thromboprophylaxis prevent venous thromboembolism after major orthopedic surgery?

OBJECTIVE:

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is an important complication of major orthopedic surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and factors influencing the development of VTE in patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery in a university hospital.

METHODS:

Patients who underwent major orthopedic surgery (hip arthroplasty, knee arthroplasty, or femur fracture repair) between February of 2006 and June of 2012 were retrospectively included in the study. The incidences of PE and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) were evaluated, as were the factors influencing their development, such as type of operation, age, and comorbidities.

RESULTS:

We reviewed the medical records of 1,306 patients. The proportions of knee arthroplasty, hip arthroplasty, and femur fracture repair were 63.4%, 29.9%, and 6.7%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of PE and DVT in patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery was 1.99% and 2.22%, respectively. Most of the patients presented with PE and DVT (61.5% and 72.4%, respectively) within the first 72 h after surgery. Patients undergoing femur fracture repair, those aged ≥ 65 years, and bedridden patients were at a higher risk for developing VTE.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our results show that VTE was a significant complication of major orthopedic surgery, despite the use of thromboprophylaxis. Clinicians should be aware of VTE, especially during the perioperative period and in bedridden, elderly patients (≥ 65 years of age).     

Total knee arthroplasty in HIV-positive haemophilic patients

In the era of total joint replacements in orthopaedics, total knee arthroplasty (TKA) should be indicated in haemophilic patients suffering from severe knee pain and disability. However, the expected high risk of infection and other postoperative complications is a concern. Although the message of this article may seem conservative, it should not be inferred that TKA should still be avoided in a haemophilic patient, but rather that the orthopaedic surgeon should weigh the risks and benefits carefully. Clinical and immunological status should be considered before suggesting a total knee replacement to a haemophilic patient. If TKA is contraindicated, knee arthrodesis is the alternative. However, knee joint debridement can relieve pain for several years and delay the need for TKA.     

Preoperative autologous blood donation in primary total knee arthroplasty: a single-centre experience on 214 consecutive patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although preoperative autologous blood donation (PABD) is a widespread practice in elective orthopedic surgery, it is controversial whether this procedure avoids allogeneic blood transfusions in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study on 214 consecutive patients undergoing PABD before elective primary TKA. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients (17.8%) were transfused with autologous red blood cells (RBC), while four of them (10.5% of those requiring transfusions, 1.9% of all patients) also received allogeneic RBC. The transfused patients were, in most cases, female and had significantly lower basal and preoperative haemoglobin levels. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, PABD is not necessary in most patients undergoing TKA, although older female patients with low basal haemoglobin levels could benefit from a predeposit programme and/or erythropoietin support in order to reduce the risk of exposure to allogeneic blood.     

Real-world practices to prevent venous thromboembolism with pharmacological prophylaxis in US orthopedic surgery patients: an analysis of an integrated healthcare database

Major orthopedic surgery patients are at high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in-hospital and post-discharge. This study assessed real-world inpatient and outpatient thromboprophylaxis practices following knee or hip arthroplasty. Patients from the Henry Ford Health System aged ≥18 years undergoing knee and hip arthroplasty (January 1997–June 2007) were identified using Current Procedural Terminology codes from administrative databases. Patients with <18 months of continuous enrollment in the system’s health maintenance organization or with a current diagnosis of atrial fibrillation were excluded. Both inpatient and outpatient pharmacological prophylaxis was assessed. The analysis included 1393 (58.5%) patients following knee arthroplasty and 989 (41.5%) following hip arthroplasty. Average length of hospitalization was 4.9 days over the study period, although the median stay decreased from 5 days in 1997 to 3 days in 2007. Of patients included, 72.7% received pharmacological prophylaxis only in the inpatient setting following knee arthroplasty and 73.9% following hip arthroplasty. Both inpatient and outpatient pharmacological prophylaxis was received by 12.5% of knee and 12.3% of hip arthroplasty patients. Total length of pharmacological prophylaxis fluctuated between 2 to 4 days between 1997 and 2005, but increased to 11.5 ± 9.0 days in 2007. Although the duration of prophylaxis has recently increased, considerable numbers of hip and knee arthroplasty patients only receive prophylaxis for part of the time period recommended by guidelines. Further efforts are required to ensure the recommended duration of thromboprophylaxis is prescribed to all patients and continued outpatient VTE prophylaxis is provided.     

No effectiveness of anticoagulants for thromboprophylaxis after non-major knee arthroscopy: a systemic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Arthroscopic knee surgery is the most commonly performed orthopedic procedure worldwide and whether thromboprophylaxis should be undertaken after knee arthroscopy is still controversial. To evaluate the efficacy of thromboprophylaxis for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) after knee arthroscopic surgery. A meta-analysis was conducted using data from eight randomized trials (4148 patients) to compare thromboprophylaxis with placebo or no prophylactic treatment in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy. The benefits and harms of thromboprophylaxis were evaluated, including the incidence of asymptomatic DVT, symptomatic VTE, pulmonary embolism and anti-coagulation related adverse events. Thromboprophylaxis significantly decreased the incidence of DVT (95% CI 0.07–0.64, P?=?0.006) and symptomatic VTE in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy (95% CI 0.23–0.76, P?=?0.004), but not significantly decreased the incidence of pulmonary embolism (n.s.). Regarding to non-major knee arthroscopy surgery (simple surgical procedures without ligament reconstruction), no significant difference of the incidence of DVT or symptomatic VTE was noted between thromboprophylactic group and control group (n.s.). Thromboprophylactic treatment showed higher incidence rate of anti-coagulation related adverse events compared with the control group (95% CI 1.12–1.90, P?=?0.005). There was no significant difference of the incidence of clinically relevant major bleeding between the two groups (n.s.). This meta-analysis indicates no effectiveness of thromboprophylaxis for preventing DVT or symptomatic VTE in patients undergoing non-major knee arthroscopy. Regarding to patient undergoing knee ligament construction, the thromboprophylactic strategy should mainly take into account the patient’s risk factors.     

Comparison of the oral direct thrombin inhibitor ximelagatran with enoxaparin as prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism after total knee replacement: a phase 2 dose-finding study

BACKGROUND: Up to one third of patients who undergo total knee replacement develop deep vein thrombosis after surgery despite receiving low-molecular-weight heparin prophylaxis. Ximelagatran is a novel direct inhibitor of free and clot-bound thrombin. METHODS: We performed a randomized, parallel, dose-finding study of 600 adults undergoing elective total knee replacement at 68 North American hospitals to determine the optimum dose of ximelagatran to use as prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism after total knee replacement. Patients received either ximelagatran twice daily by mouth in blinded fixed doses of 8, 12, 18, or 24 mg or open-label enoxaparin sodium, 30 mg, subcutaneously twice daily, starting 12 to 24 hours after surgery and continuing for 6 to 12 days. We measured the 6- to 12-day cumulative incidence of symptomatic or venographic deep vein thrombosis, symptomatic pulmonary embolism, and bleeding. RESULTS: A total of 594 patients received at least 1 dose of the study drug; 443 patients were evaluable for efficacy. Rates of overall venous thromboembolism (and proximal deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) for the 8-, 12-, 18-, and 24-mg doses of ximelagatran were 27% (6.6%), 19.8% (2.0%), 28.7% (5.8%), and 15.8% (3.2%), respectively. Rates of overall venous thromboembolism (22.7%) and proximal deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (3.1%) for enoxaparin did not differ significantly compared with 24-mg ximelagatran (overall difference, -6.9%; 95% confidence interval, -18.0% to 4.2%; P=.3). There was no major bleeding with administration of 24 mg of ximelagatran twice daily. CONCLUSION: Fixed-dose, unmonitored ximelagatran, 24 mg twice daily, given after surgery appears to be safe and effective oral prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism after total knee replacement.     

A comparison between the complications and long‐term outcome of hip and knee replacement therapy in patients with and without haemophilia; a controlled retrospective cohort study

Summary. The outcomes of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with haemophilia have not been compared with other patient populations. The aim of this study was to compare the results of joint replacement therapy in patients with and without haemophilia retrospectively. This is a controlled retrospective cohort study. The complications and long‐term results of 21 TKAs and 6 THAs performed in 22 haemophilia patients were compared with those of 42 TKAs and 12 THAs in patients without bleeding disorders. Patients were matched for type of arthroplasty, gender, year of surgery and age. Blood loss, infection rate, revision, implant survival and function as judged by the patient were recorded. Haemarthrosis occurred in 14 (52%) of the 27 arthroplasties performed in the haemophilia patients, while four bleedings were recorded in the 54 arthroplasties in the control group (7%, P < 0.001). All bleeds occurred in TKAs. In the patient group, two infections (7%, both in TKAs) occurred compared to seven (13%, 6/7 in TKAs) in the control group (NS). In the haemophilia patients, all but one (96%) arthroplasties were still in situ at the end of follow‐up, vs. 44 (81%, NS) in the control group. For TKAs, survival was 20/21 vs. 34/42 respectively (P = 0.25). Subjective function was good in 22/27 (81%; 76% in TKAs) arthroplasties in haemophilia patients, vs. 40/54 (74%; 71% in TKAs) in controls. Haemophilia patients experienced significantly more haemarthroses, but no more infections and they have an excellent implant survival compared with non‐haemophilia controls.