Abstract

BackgroundDespite long clinical experience some authorities recommend against the use of aspirin for perioperative VTE prophylaxis and favour alternatives such as dabigatran. A change from Dabigatran to an Aspirin based protocol in a British district general hospital created the conditions of a natural experiment. MethodsWe conducted a single centre, retrospective study of 6-months using a dabigatran based protocol (THA n = 191, TKA n = 155) and 6-months using and aspirin based protocol (THA n = 165, TKA n = 136). Outcomes addressed include: VTE used, VTE events within 90-days, 30-day return to theatre (RTT) rates, and 90-day mortality. ResultsPre-intervention, the dabigatran prescription rate was 73% (n = 139) and 78% (n = 123) with aspirin prescription post-intervention in 67% (n = 110) and 70% (n = 90) for THA and TKA respectively. We found a similar VTE rate when comparing dabigatran and aspirin groups for THA (2.2% vs. 0%, p = 0.17) and TKA (0.64% vs. 0%, p = 0.32). Similarly, no difference in the RTT rate was seen for THA (0.7% vs.2.7%, p = 0.23) or TKA (1.6% vs. 3.2%, p = 0.38). ConclusionNo significant differences in safety were found comparing aspirin to dabigatran for VTE prophylaxis for lower limb arthroplasty which, has not been previously reported and represents significant cost saving implications.

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call