Comparative analysis of the effects of dalteparin and reviparin on perioperative blood loss in patients with extracapsular hip fractures treated with intramedullary nailing.

Abstract

Aim To determine differences between reviparin and dalteparin treatment in patients with extracapsular hip fractures treated with intramedullary nailing and their effects on perioperative blood loss and early postoperative recovery. Methods Retrospective comparative study included 68 patients with extracapsular hip fracture who were divided into dalteparin and reviparin group. Medical records were used to obtain demographic data, laboratory parameters, haemoglobin and haematocrit levels, platelet count, mortality rate and medical complications. Results Out of total 68 patients, 31 were in reviparin and 37 in dalteparin group. Mean age of patients was 70.5 (±14.4) and 76.8 (±8.4) years in reviparin and dalteparin group, respectively (p=0.071). Median values of haemoglobin levels on the first postoperative day were lower in dalteparin group compared to reviparin group (p=0.012). On the first postoperative day haematocrit values were also lower in dalteparin than in reviparin group (p=0.015). Both groups showed an increase in platelet count on the first postoperative day, but without significant difference (p=0.084). There was no statistically significant difference in intrahospital mortality between the groups (6.4% vs. 2.7%; p=0.588). One case of pulmonary embolism was detected in the dalteparin group. Conclusion Low-molecular-weight heparin is the drug of choice in patients with hip fractures for thromboprophylaxis. Due to non-antithrombin-mediated actions, reviparin and dalteparin could have different effects on perioperative blood loss. Both dalteparin and reviparin are safe and effective agents for thromboprophylaxis in patients with proximal femur fractures.