Abstract
In European countries, low-molecular-weight heparin is generally initiated preoperatively for thromboprophylaxis in hip or knee replacement surgery. The objective of this review is to compare pre- and postoperative thromboprophylaxis strategies using available evidence, and discuss the challenges and issues that arise. Surgery is the first step in the process of thrombus formation, but thrombosis is not an instant process and the formation and growth of the thrombus can take several days or weeks. Hence, it may be possible to stop this process if thromboprophylaxis is initiated after surgery. Meta-analyses or systematic reviews comparing pre- and postoperative initiation of therapy have found no consistent differences in efficacy and similar safety (bleeding rates) between the two strategies. The recently available oral anticoagulant dabigatran etexilate provides thromboprophylaxis when administered postoperatively and is as safe as preoperative enoxaparin. Further support for the use of postoperative oral thromboprophylaxis in hip or knee replacement surgery has been provided by the phase III clinical trials of rivaroxaban and apixaban versus preoperative enoxaparin. Postoperative thromboprophylaxis offers the opportunity to change management practices in Europe. As postoperative initiation may have a clinical benefit in some settings (e.g. for neuraxial anesthesia) and practical advantages (e.g. allowing same-day admission), it is a worthwhile thromboprophylactic strategy for hip or knee replacement surgery.
Highlights
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious complication of elective hip and knee replacement surgery
VTE occurs in approximately 4060% of cases
Preoperative thromboprophylaxis is initiated on the assumption that the surgery itself and the accompanying immobility are the main causes of thrombosis [4,5,6,7]
Summary
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious complication of elective hip and knee replacement surgery. Two phase III apixaban trials compared oral apixaban 2.5 mg bid started 12-24 h after orthopedic surgery with enoxaparin 40 mg sc qd administered 12 h preoperatively (Table 3) [25,26] Both trials demonstrated that apixaban was more effective than the European enoxaparin regimen for the primary efficacy outcome and there was no significant difference in the rate of major or clinically relevant bleeding [25,26]. These results support the use of postoperative rather than preoperative administration of thromboprophylactic agents after major orthopedic surgery. Analyses of pooled data from the phase III trials of dabigatran etexilate showed no significant difference in efficacy between patients who received the first dose (as a half-dose) 1-4 h post-surgery compared with those who received a delayed first dose (either a half-dose > 4 h post-surgery or the full dose the day after surgery) [55]
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