Aspirin For Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis Research Articles

The Use of Aspirin for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Patients Who Have Morbid Obesity Undergoing Primary and Revision Total Joint Arthroplasty

BackgroundVenous thromboembolism (VTE) poses a major clinical concern due to its life-threatening nature, and obese and morbidly obese patients are thought to be at an increased risk for VTE. The aims of this study were twofold; first, to explore VTE rates in patients who have a body mass index (BMI) > 40 undergoing primary and revision total joint arthroplasty, and second, to investigate aspirin (ASA) efficacy and safety. MethodsWe identified all patients (n = 4,672) who had a BMI > 40 who underwent primary and revision total joint arthroplasty from 2016 to 2022 at a single academic tertiary care center. Patients were stratified by BMI groups: 40 to 44.9 (n = 3,462), 45 to 49.9 (n = 935), and 50+ (n = 275). The primary outcome was any VTE event within 90 days postoperatively. The secondary outcome consisted of wound complications within 90 days postoperatively. ResultsThe total VTE rate was 0.4% (n = 21) and did not differ statistically between the BMI groups (0.4 versus 0.4 versus 0.7%, P = .669). The VTEs consisted of 6 deep venous thromboses (DVTs), 14 pulmonary embolisms, and one concomitant deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. The VTE rates were not statistically different between patients who received aspirin 325 mg 0.5% (n = 9), aspirin 81 mg 0.2% (n = 1), aspirin + anticoagulant (AC) 0.5% (n = 6), and AC alone 0.4% (n = 5) (P = .954). In addition, wound complications did not differ significantly between patients who received ASA 325 mg, ASA 81mg, ASA + AC, or AC alone (1.6 versus 1.0 versus 1.8 versus 1.1%, P = .351). ConclusionsThe use of aspirin 325 and 81 mg was found to have similar VTE rates as aspirin + ACs and ACs alone, with no significant increase in wound complications. In patients who have a BMI > 40, the use of aspirin is a safe option for VTE prophylaxis and should be prescribed in the context of the patient who has other risk factors for VTE.

Aspirin prophylaxis is not associated with increased risk of venous thromboembolism in arthroplasty for femoral neck fractures: a non-inferiority study.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a known complication of hip arthroplasty for femoral neck fractures (FNF) with various prophylactic anticoagulants utilized to decrease risk. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and perioperative outcomes associated with aspirin for VTE prophylaxis following arthroplasty for FNF. Medical records of 1,220 patients who underwent hip hemiarthroplasty (HHA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA) at an urban academic center from 2011 to 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient characteristics and perioperative outcomes, including length of stay (LOS), VTE, 90-day hospital encounters, and discharge disposition, were collected. Outcomes for patients prescribed aspirin (n = 214) were compared to those prescribed non-aspirin VTE prophylaxis (n = 1006) using propensity score matching. Patients who received aspirin had higher rates of THA (36.0 vs 26.7%; p = 0.008). There were no significant risk-adjusted differences in the incidence of VTE (0.5 vs 0.5%, p = 1.000) and 90-day readmissions (10.4 vs 12.3%, p = 0.646) between patients prescribed aspirin and non-aspirin VTE prophylaxis, respectively. Patients prescribed non-aspirin agents had higher rates of non-home discharge (73.9 vs 58.5%; p < 0.001) and longer LOS (143.5 vs 124.9h; p = 0.005). Sub-analysis of patients prescribed aspirin and non-aspirin prophylaxis based on comorbidity scores demonstrated no difference in VTE incidence for low (0.0 vs 1.6%, p = 1.000) and high scores (0.0 vs 0.0%, p = 1.000), respectively. Aspirin is not associated with increased incidence of VTE after HHA or THA for FNF. Aspirin prophylaxis should be considered in hip fracture patients to mitigate bleeding risk, particularly those with low to intermediate VTE risk. Level III, Retrospective study.

INCIDENCE OF VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM IN ELECTIVE HIP ARTHROPLASTY SURGERY: A REVIEW OF 8,890 PATIENTS RECEIVING POSTOPERATIVE ASPIRIN VTE PROPHYLAXIS

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing elective hip arthroplasty surgery. The balance of post-operative VTE prophylaxis and risk of post-operative haemorrhage remains at the forefront of surgeon's mind. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has altered their prophylaxis guidance in the setting of total hip arthroplasty (THA). The aim of this study was to present the VTE incidence in 8,890 patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty between January 1997 and March 2018 with Aspirin as the primary agent for pharmacological thromboprophylaxis.Analysis of prospective data collection from consecutive patients undergoing THA was performed with the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) occurring within 6 months of the index operation as the primary outcome measure. 90-day all-cause mortality of this cohort of patients was also analysed.8890 patients were reviewed. This included 7235 primary, 224 complex primary and 1431 revision cases. The incidence of DVT was 0.64% after elective THA and the incidence of PE was 0.54%. There was no difference in the incidence between primary and revision cases. The 90-day all-cause mortality was 0.88%. Cardiovascular and respiratory disease were the main causes of death following surgery. Only 0.03% of deaths (n= 3) within 90 days of index surgery were due to VTE.Our results support the use of aspirin as an effective form of prophylaxis against VTE following THA. It is not associated with an increased incidence in symptomatic DVT, PE or death compared to other published studies. The fact that it is inexpensive, readily available, requires no monitoring and does not pose an increased risk of bleeding are other attractive advantages of using aspirin for VTE prophylaxis.

Thirty day low-dose versus regular-dose aspirin for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in primary total joint arthroplasty.

The optimal dosing of aspirin (ASA) monotherapy for prophylaxis after total joint arthroplasty is debatable. The objective of this study was to compare two ASA regimens with regards to symptomatic deep venous thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), bleeding, and infection 90days after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We retrospectively identified 625 primary THA and TKA surgeries in 483 patients who received ASA for 4weeks post-op. 301 patients received 325mg once daily (QD) and 324 patients received 81mg twice daily (BID). Patients were excluded if they were minors, had a prior venous thromboembolism (VTE), had ASA allergy, or received other VTE prophylaxis drugs. There was a significant difference in rate of bleeding and suture reactions between the two groups. Bleeding was 7.6% for 325mg QD and 2.5% for 81mg BID (p = .0029 Χ2, p = .004 on multivariate logistic regression analysis). Suture reactions were 3.3% for 325mg QD and 1.2% for 81mg BID (p = .010 Χ2, p = .027 on multivariate logistic regression analysis). Rates of VTE, symptomatic DVT, and PE were not significantly different. The incidence of VTE was 2.7% for 325mg QD and 1.5% for 81mg BID (p = .4056). Symptomatic DVT rates were 1.6% for 325mg QD and 0.9% for 81mg BID (p = .4139). Deep infection was 1.0% for 325mg QD and 0.31% for 81mg BID (p = .3564). Low-dose ASA in patients with limited comorbidities undergoing primary THA and TKA is associated with significant lower rates of bleeding and suture reactions than high dose ASA. Low-dose ASA was not inferior to higher dose ASA for the prevention of VTE, wound complications, and infection 90days postoperatively.

Incidence of Symptomatic Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) in 8,885 Elective Total Hip Arthroplasty Patients Receiving Post-operative Aspirin VTE Prophylaxis.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a potentially reducible cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing elective hip arthroplasty surgery. The balance of post-operative VTE prophylaxis and risk of post-operative haemorrhage remains at the forefront of surgeon's mind. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published updated guidelines in 2018 which recommend the use of both mechanical and pharmacological methods in patients undergoing elective total hip arthroplasty (THA). The aim of this study was to present the symptomatic VTE incidence in 8,885 patients who underwent THA between January 1998 and March 2018 with Aspirin as the primary agent for pharmacological thromboprophylaxis. Intermittent calf compression stockings are routinely used from the time of surgery until mobilization (usually the following day) with prophylactic doses of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) during inpatient stay (from 2005 onwards) and then Aspirin 150mg once daily for six weeks on hospital discharge (or Aspirin only prior to 2005), with use of other therapies occasionally as required. Analysis of prospective data collection from consecutive patients at a single institution undergoing THA was performed with the incidence of symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) occurring within six months of the index operation as the primary outcome measure. Ninety-day all-cause mortality of this cohort of patients was also analysed. 8,885 patients were reviewed. This included 7230 primary, 224 complex primary and 1431 revision cases. The overall incidence of symptomatic VTE after elective THA was 1.11% (99/8885) - with the incidence of symptomatic DVT of 0.59% (52/8885) and the incidence of symptomatic PE of 0.53% (47/8885). There was no significant difference (χ2 test, p=0.239) in the symptomatic VTE incidence between primary (1.20% - 89/7230), complex primary (0.89% - 2/224) and revision cases (0.70% - 10/1431). The 90-day all-cause mortality was 0.88% (78/8885). Cardiovascular and respiratory disease were the main causes of death following surgery. Only 0.03% of deaths (n= 3) within 90 days of index surgery were due to PE. There was no significant difference (p=0.327) in length of stay (and hence amount of pharmacologic prophylaxis with LMWH received by patients before commencement of Aspirin) with the average length of stay for those patients who did not suffer a VTE of 6.8 days compared with 7.6 days for those who did suffer a VTE. Our results support the use of aspirin as an effective form of prophylaxis against symptomatic VTE following THA in contradiction to NICE and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery (AAOS) recommendations. It is not associated with an increased incidence in symptomatic DVT, PE or death compared to other published studies. The fact that it is inexpensive, readily available, requires no monitoring and does not pose an increased risk of bleeding are other advantages of using aspirin for VTE prophylaxis.

Low-Dose Aspirin for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis is Associated With Lower Rates of Periprosthetic Joint Infection After Total Joint Arthroplasty

BackgroundAspirin as a venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylactic agent has been shown to have antistaphylococcal and antibiofilm roles. Optimal acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) dosage would facilitate antimicrobial effects while avoiding over-aggressive inhibition of platelet antimicrobial function. Our purpose was to determine the periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) rate after total joint arthroplasty in patients receiving low-dose ASA (81 mg twice a day), in comparison to high-dose ASA (325 mg twice a day). MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study between 2008 and 2020. Eligible patients were older than 18 years, underwent primary total joint arthroplasty, both total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty, had a minimum 30-day follow-up, and received a full course ASA as VTE prophylaxis. Patients’ records were reviewed for PJI, according to Musculoskeletal Infection Society criteria. Patients were excluded if they underwent revision arthroplasty, had a history of coagulopathy, or had an ASA regimen that was not completed. In total 15,825 patients were identified, 8,761 patients received low-dose ASA and 7,064 received high-dose ASA. ResultsThe high-dose cohort had a higher PJI rate (0.35 versus 0.10%, P = .001). This relationship was maintained when comparing subgroups comprising total knee arthroplasty (0.32 versus 0.06%, P = .019) or total hip arthroplasty (0.38 versus 0.14%, P = .035) and accounting for potentially confounding demographic and surgical variables (odds ratio = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.15-6.40, P = .028). ConclusionComparing low-dose to high-dose ASA as a VTE prophylactic agent, low-dose ASA had a lower PJI rate. This may be attributable to a balance of anti-infective properties of ASA and antiplatelet effects.

Efficacy and Safety of Thromboprophylaxis Post-Orthopedic Surgery.

Given the high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) post-orthopedic surgery and the vital role of thromboprophylaxis in preventing VTEs, this meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy of thromboprophylaxis post major orthopedic surgery and the relevant safety measures.In this review, we conducted a computer-aided search of Google Scholar, PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, Medline, and EMBASE databases. We included all published randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that utilized enoxaparin, fondaparinux, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and aspirin for VTE prophylaxis in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA), hip fracture surgery, and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) based on primary and secondary outcomes. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was used to evaluate the risk of bias. All statistical analyses were performed using Review Manager Software.A total of 23 RCTs were included with a total sample of 48,424 patients and an overall low risk of bias. The efficacy of enoxaparin in preventing VTEs in the TKA group was significantly better than fondaparinux. In the THA group, the efficacy of enoxaparin was significantly better than apixaban. The efficacies of fondaparinux, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and aspirin were comparable to that of enoxaparin in reducing VTE-associated mortality, major bleeding, and adverse events. In conclusion, we found that all included drugs were non-inferior to enoxaparin in VTE-associated mortality, major bleeding, and adverse events.

Aspirin Compared With Other Anticoagulants for Use as Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Elective Orthopaedic Hip and Knee Operations: A Narrative Literature Review.

Although total hip and knee arthroplasty are effective methods for treating arthritis, they have an associated risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). To reduce this risk, prophylactic agents including aspirin, low-molecular-weight Heparin, vitamin K antagonists, and direct oral anticoagulants are employed for up to 35 days after surgery. This narrative literature review utilised a systematic approach to critically assess the current evidence surrounding the use of aspirin for VTE prophylaxis compared to anticoagulants.An advanced multistage electronic search was performed in May 2021 using the OVID/Medline and Embase online libraries to identify available studies relevant to the subject from 1974. Additional studies identified during the review process were also included. The final studies meeting the inclusion criteria were then assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool.A total of 12 (60%) studies (two meta-analyses, three randomised trials, seven retrospective studies) favoured aspirin over anticoagulants for VTE prophylaxis. A total of 15 (75%) studies (two meta-analyses, three randomised trials, nine retrospective, one matched cohort) reported that aspirin had better bleeding profiles and complication rates, which was statistically significant in seven (46.7%) studies (one randomised trial, six retrospective studies). A total of eight studies (one randomised trial, six retrospective studies, one matched cohort) reported statistically significant results for aspirin. Five (62.5%) studies reported aspirin to be superior for VTE prophylaxis, while seven (87.5%) reported aspirin to be superior in terms of bleeding complications.The current evidence indicates that aspirin is superior to anticoagulants, in their various iterations, for VTE prophylaxis in terms of their bleeding profiles.

Thirty Days of Aspirin for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis Is Adequate Following Total Knee Arthroplasty, Regardless of the Dose Used

BackgroundThe optimal length of aspirin prophylaxis to minimize venous thromboembolism (VTE) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains unknown. This study aimed to determine the timing of VTE after TKA in patients who received low and high dose aspirin, and determine if 30 days of prophylaxis remains adequate. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed records of 9208 patients undergoing primary TKA between 2010 and 2020 who received either low (81 mg twice daily, n = 4413) or high (325 mg twice daily, n = 4795) dose aspirin for VTE prophylaxis. Symptomatic VTEs occurring within 90 days of surgery were identified from medical records and phone call logs. Major bleeding events (MBE) within the first 30 days were also documented. Time to event was recorded. ResultsOverall, 88 patients (1.0%) developed symptomatic VTE, with no significant differences in incidence between the low (n = 40, 0.9%) and high (n = 48, 1.0%) dose groups (P = .669). The median time to VTE was 8 days (interquartile range [IQR] 2-15.5), median time to deep vein thrombosis was 12 days (IQR 5-18), and median time to pulmonary embolism was 5 days (IQR 1.5-15). There was a similar distribution in time to VTE in both the low and high dose groups. Aside from a single DVT occurring at day 44, all VTE occurred within 30 days of surgery. During the prophylactic time period, 41 patients (0.4%) developed MBE, which tended to occur more frequently (0.6% vs 0.3%, P = .018) and earlier in the high dose group. ConclusionBased on the findings, a 30-day low or high dose aspirin regimen remains optimal for prevention of VTE without increasing MBE in TKA patients.

Low-Dose vs Regular-Dose Aspirin for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty

BackgroundConsensus on whether low-dose (81 mg) or regular-dose (325 mg) aspirin (ASA) is more effective for venous thromboembolism (VTE) chemoprophylaxis in primary total joint arthroplasties (TJAs) is not reached. The goal of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of low-dose and regular-dose ASA for VTE chemoprophylaxis in primary total hip arthroplasties and total knee arthroplasties. MethodsWe retrospectively identified 3512 primary TJAs (2344 total hip arthroplasties and 1168 total knee arthroplasties) with ASA used as VTE chemoprophylaxis between 2000 and 2019. Patients received ASA twice daily for 4-6 weeks after surgery with 961 (27%) receiving low-dose ASA and 2551 (73%) receiving regular-dose ASA. The primary endpoint was 90-day incidence of symptomatic VTEs. Secondary outcomes were gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding events and mortality. The mean age at index TJA was 66 years, 54% were female, and mean body mass index was 31 kg/m2. The mean Charlson Comorbidity Index was 3.5. Mean follow-up was 3 years. ResultsThere was no difference in 90-day incidence of symptomatic VTEs between low-dose and regular-dose ASA (0% vs 0.1%, respectively; P = .79). There were no GI bleeding events in either group. There was no difference in 90-day mortality between low-dose and regular-dose ASA (0.3% vs 0.1%, respectively; P = .24). ConclusionIn 3512 primary TJA patients treated with ASA, we found a cumulative incidence of VTE <1% at 90 days. Although this study is underpowered, it appears that twice daily low-dose ASA was equally effective to twice daily regular-dose ASA for VTE chemoprophylaxis, with no difference in risk of GI bleeds or mortality. Level of EvidenceIII, retrospective cohort study.

Non-Inferiority of Aspirin for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis After Hip Arthroplasty in a Statewide Registry

BackgroundUncertainty remains surrounding the use of aspirin as a sole chemoprophylactic agent to reduce the risk of venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) and bleeding after primary total hip arthroplasty. MethodsWe performed a non-inferiority analysis of a retrospective cohort of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty from April 1, 2013 to December 31, 2018. Cases were retrieved from the Michigan Arthroplasty Registry Collaborative Quality Initiative database and performed by 355 surgeons at 61 hospitals throughout Michigan. Surgical setting ranged from small community hospitals to large academic and non-academic centers. The primary outcomes were post-operative venous thromboembolism event or death and bleeding event. ResultsOf the 59,747 patients included, 32,878 (55.03%) were female, and the mean age was 64.5. A total of 462 (0.77%) composite venous thromboembolism events occurred. There were 221 (0.71%) and 129 (0.80%) venous thromboembolism events in patients receiving aspirin only and anticoagulants only, respectively. Aspirin was non-inferior to anticoagulants for composite venous thromboembolism events (odds ratio 0.99, 95% confidence interval 0.79-1.26, P < .001). Bleeding events occurred in 767 (1.28%) patients, with 304 (0.97%) and 281 (1.74%) bleeding events in patients receiving aspirin only and anticoagulants only, respectively. Aspirin was non-inferior to anticoagulants for bleeding events (odds ratio 0.62, 95% confidence interval 0.52-0.74, P < .001). ConclusionAspirin is not inferior to other anticoagulants as pharmacologic venous thromboembolism prophylaxis with regards to post-operative risk of venous thromboembolism or bleeding. Sole use of aspirin for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis after total hip arthroplasty should be considered in the appropriate patient.

Results of a Phase I Trial of Lenalidomide, Rituximab (R2) and Ixazomib for Frontline Treatment of High Risk Follicular and Indolent Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Results of a Phase I Trial of Lenalidomide, Rituximab (R2) and Ixazomib for Frontline Treatment of High Risk Follicular and Indolent Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Clinical Effectiveness and Safety of Aspirin for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis After Total Hip and Knee Replacement

Patients undergoing total hip replacement (THR) and total knee replacement (TKR) receive venous thromboembolism (VTE) pharmacoprophylaxis. It is unclear which anticoagulant is preferable. Observational data suggest aspirin provides effective VTE prophylaxis. To assess the effectiveness and safety of aspirin for VTE prophylaxis after THR and TKR. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed of randomized clinical trials (RCTs), with no language restrictions, from inception to September 19, 2019, using MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and bibliographic searches. The computer-based searches combined terms and combinations of keywords related to the population (eg, hip replacement, knee replacement, hip arthroplasty, and knee arthroplasty), drug intervention (eg, aspirin, heparin, clexane, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and warfarin), and outcome (eg, venous thromboembolism, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and bleeding) in humans. This study included RCTs assessing the effectiveness and safety of aspirin for VTE prophylaxis compared with other anticoagulants in adults undergoing THR and TKR. The RCTs with a placebo control group were excluded. The searches and study selection were independently performed. This study followed PRISMA recommendations and used the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool. Data were screened and extracted independently by both reviewers. Study-specific relative risks (RRs) were aggregated using random-effects models. Quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. The primary outcome was any postoperative VTE (asymptomatic or symptomatic). Secondary outcomes were adverse events associated with therapy, including bleeding. Of 437 identified articles, 13 RCTs were included (6060 participants; 3466 [57.2%] women; mean age, 63.0 years). The RR of VTE after THR and TKR was 1.12 (95% CI, 0.78-1.62) for aspirin compared with other anticoagulants. Comparable findings were observed for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (RR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.72-1.51) and pulmonary embolism (PE) (RR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.68-1.48). The risk of adverse events, including major bleeding, wound hematoma, and wound infection, was not statistically significantly different in patients receiving aspirin vs other anticoagulants. When analyzing THRs and TKRs separately, there was no statistically significant difference in the risk of VTE, DVT, and PE between aspirin and other anticoagulants. Aspirin had a VTE risk not statistically significantly different from low-molecular-weight heparin (RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.37-1.56) or rivaroxaban (RR, 1.52; 95% CI, 0.56-4.12). The quality of the evidence ranged from low to high. In terms of clinical effectiveness and safety profile, aspirin did not differ statistically significantly from other anticoagulants used for VTE prophylaxis after THR and TKR. Future trials should focus on noninferiority analysis of aspirin compared with alternative anticoagulants and cost-effectiveness.

Highlighting the Roles of Anemia and Aspirin in Predicting Ninety-Day Readmission Following Aseptic Revision Total Joint Arthroplasty

BackgroundRevision total joint arthroplasties (TJAs) are associated with an increased rate of complications. To date, it is unclear what drives readmission after aseptic revision arthroplasty and what measures can be taken to possibly avoid them. The purpose of this study is to (1) determine the reasons for readmission after aseptic revision TJA and (2) identify patient-specific or postoperative risk factors through a multivariate analysis. MethodsA retrospective study examined 1503 cases of aseptic revision TJA between 2009 and 2016 at an urban tertiary care hospital. Eighty-seven cases (5.8%) of readmission within 90 days of index surgery were identified. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess independent risk factors for readmission. ResultsThe reasons for readmission were infection (38%), wound complications (22%), and dislocation/instability of the prosthetic joint (13%). Only preoperative anemia was associated with an increased odds ratio (OR) of readmission (OR 1.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.126-2.970, P = .015), whereas postoperative venous thromboembolism prophylaxis with aspirin (OR 0.58, 90% CI 0.340-0.974, P = .039) and discharge to an inpatient rehab facility (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.051-0.950, P = .042) were associated with significantly lower odds of readmission. ConclusionBased on this single institutional study, addressing preoperative anemia and considering the implementation of aspirin for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis may be 2 targets to potentially reduce readmission after aseptic revision TJA.

Withdrawn: Aspirin for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis after hip or knee arthroplasty: An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Patients who undergo knee or hip arthroplasty are at a significant risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) development (pulmonary embolism and/or deep-vein thrombosis). Many different thromboprophylactic strategies have been used for the prevention of VTE in these patients with different outcomes. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of aspirin prophylaxis when compared with placebo or anticoagulants in this population of patients. A comprehensive electronic database search was conducted for all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the clinical outcomes of aspirin versus placebo or anticoagulants for the prevention of VTE after knee or hip arthroplasty. The primary outcome was VTE incidence. Secondary outcomes included any bleeding, major bleeding and mortality. We calculated risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random-effects model at the longest possible follow-up period. We included 13 RCTs with a total of 20,115 patients with a mean age of 67.15 ± 9.54 and 24.39% males. Aspirin was found to be associated with a non-significantly reduced VTE events compared with other thromboprophylactic methods (RR 0.87; 95% CI: 0.61-1.23; P = 0.43). Compared with placebo, aspirin was associated with significant reduction of VTE (RR 0.65; 95% CI: 0.47-0.89; P = 0.008). There were no significant differences in the clinical outcomes between all groups with regard to mortality (RR 0.98; 95% CI: 0.86-1.11; P = 0.72), major bleeding events (RR 0.96; 95% CI: 0.50-1.84; P = 0.91), and any bleeding events (RR: 1.09; 95% CI: 0.82-1.44; P = 0.56). Among patients who underwent knee or hip arthroplasty, aspirin prophylaxis was found to be associated with similar efficacy and safety outcomes when compared with anticoagulants. When compared with placebo, aspirin prophylaxis was associated with significantly reduced VTE and a comparable safety profile.

Aspirin for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis after hip or knee arthroplasty: An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BackgroundPatients who undergo knee or hip arthroplasty are at a significant risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) development (pulmonary embolism and/or deep-vein thrombosis). Many different thromboprophylactic strategies have been used for the prevention of VTE in these patients with different outcomes. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of aspirin prophylaxis when compared with placebo or anticoagulants in this population of patients. MethodsA comprehensive electronic database search was conducted for all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the clinical outcomes of aspirin versus placebo or anticoagulants for the prevention of VTE after knee or hip arthroplasty. The primary outcome was VTE incidence. Secondary outcomes included any bleeding, major bleeding and mortality. We calculated risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random-effects model at the longest possible follow-up period. ResultsWe included 13 RCTs with a total of 20,115 patients with a mean age of 67.15 ± 9.54 and 24.39% males. Aspirin was found to be associated with a non-significantly reduced VTE events compared with other thromboprophylactic methods (RR 0.87; 95% CI: 0.61–1.23; P = 0.43). Compared with placebo, aspirin was associated with significant reduction of VTE (RR 0.65; 95% CI: 0.47–0.89; P = 0.008). There were no significant differences in the clinical outcomes between all groups with regard to mortality (RR 0.98; 95% CI: 0.86–1.11; P = 0.72), major bleeding events (RR 0.96; 95% CI: 0.50–1.84; P = 0.91), and any bleeding events (RR: 1.09; 95% CI: 0.82–1.44; P = 0.56). ConclusionAmong patients who underwent knee or hip arthroplasty, aspirin prophylaxis was found to be associated with similar efficacy and safety outcomes when compared with anticoagulants. When compared with placebo, aspirin prophylaxis was associated with significantly reduced VTE and a comparable safety profile.

The Effectiveness of Aspirin for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis for Patients Undergoing Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair.

Venous thromboembolic disease (VTED) is a rare complication following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR). The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American College of Chest Physicians have no prophylaxis guidelines specific to shoulder arthroscopy, yet many surgeons prescribe aspirin following RCR. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of aspirin and mechanical prophylaxis compared with mechanical prophylaxis alone in preventing VTED following RCR. A total of 914 patients underwent RCR between January 2010 and January 2015. A retrospective case-control study was performed. The control group (n=484) consisted of patients treated with compression boots and early mobilization. The study group (n=430) used compression boots, early mobilization, and 81 mg/d of aspirin. The primary outcome was symptomatic VTED, including deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). A total of 7 VTED events occurred during the study period: 6 DVTs and 1 PE; 1 patient experienced both DVT and PE. The percentage of patients with VTED, DVT, and PE was 0.66%, 0.66%, and 0.11%, respectively. There was no significant difference for DVT or PE between the 2 groups. The incidence of DVT and PE was 0.62% and 0.00%, respectively, for the control group (no aspirin) and 0.70% and 0.23%, respectively, for the study group (aspirin). Aspirin does not lead to a clinically significant reduction in either DVT or PE rate in patients undergoing RCR. The authors conclude that the use of mechanical prophylaxis and early mobilization is a sufficient method of VTED prophylaxis in this low-risk population. [Orthopedics. 2019; 42(2):e187-e192.].

Aspirin Thromboprophylaxis in Joint Replacement Surgery

Introduction. Total knee replacement (TKR) and total hip replacement (THA) surgeries have historically been felt to carry a high risk of post-operative venous thromboembolism (VTE) events thereby warranting anticoagulant prophylaxis. This risk however was based on composite endpoints in which asymptomatic DVT on venography, as opposed to symptomatic VTE or VTE-related mortality, constituted the majority of the events. Furthermore, current day orthopedic practices have likely led to a reduction in risk of VTE, thought to be 3-5% in the absence of prophylaxis. While the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) guidelines recommend the use of an anticoagulant for prophylaxis for all patients undergoing TKR and THR over aspirin, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) guidelines classify patients without a prior history of VTE, and those not meeting their high risk criteria (significant cardiovascular disease; BMI &amp;gt; 40; smoking + DM + BMI &amp;gt; 35; and recent cancer) as low-risk; aspirin (325 mg twice daily) is a recommended alternative for post-operative VTE prophylaxis in these patients. As a result, many orthopedic surgeons in the US use aspirin for patients without major risk factors for VTE other than the surgery itself, accounting for over 40% joint replacement surgery cases in the US. The risk of symptomatic VTE in this patient population outside of small and primarily retrospective studies remains unknown. We conducted a prospective cohort study of patients receiving aspirin thromboprophylaxis following TKR and THR surgery at a large orthopedic specialty hospital to assess the risk of clinically symptomatic VTE and bleeding events. This is a preliminary analysis of planned total accrual of 500 subjects (assuming 2% VTE event rate in aspirin-treated patients, as compared to 1% in anticoagulant-treated, with alpha and beta error levels of 5% and 50%, respectively, and accounting for attrition rate of at least 10%). Methods. All TKR and THR patients prescribed aspirin for VTE prophylaxis by the surgical team and not on any anticoagulant medications were eligible for the study. Study subjects were identified and consented post-operatively prior to their hospital discharge. Enrolled subjects were followed for symptomatic VTE and bleeding events during their hospitalization, and then contacted at 30 and 90 days postoperatively for a telephone survey. Symptomatic VTE and bleeding events were captured using a questionnaire and outside records obtained to confirm VTE or major bleeding events. Three-month risk of symptomatic VTE and major bleeding events associated with aspirin thromboprophylaxis were estimated. Results. A total of 300 patients, 199 TKR and 101 THR, have been enrolled in this ongoing study so far. Table 1 shows the baseline characteristics of the patients. A total of 6 symptomatic VTE (4 pulmonary emboli, 1 proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and 1 isolated-distal DVT) occurred during the follow up period. (3-month post-op VTE event rate of 2%). 3 events were diagnosed during hospitalization, whereas the remaining 3 occurred following hospital discharge (within 7-10 days). Bruising was a common side effect affecting nearly 3% of the patients, but major bleeding events were rare, only 1 major upper gastrointestinal bleeding, giving a 3-month risk of 0.33%. There were no surgical bleeds reported. Conclusions. In this single-center prospective cohort study of TKR and THR patients considered to be at lower risk for VTE, the use of aspirin for thromboprophylaxis was associated with a 2% symptomatic VTE event rate over three months of follow up with minimal bleeding risk. This result, together with those of the EPCATII study from Canada showing that low-dose aspirin was as effective (~0.7% event rate) following 5 days of rivaroxaban following TKR and THR in lower risk patients, argues for a large randomized trial evaluating aspirin as monotherapy for VTE prophylaxis in such patients. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Increased Incidence of Bleeding and Wound Complications With Factor-Xa Inhibitors After Total Joint Arthroplasty

BackgroundFactor-Xa inhibitors have been introduced for prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after joint arthroplasty. However, these agents could also be associated with bleeding or wound complications after surgery. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of 59 patients (31 knees, 28 hips) undergoing joint arthroplasty at a high-volume joint arthroplasty referral center, both before and after implementation of a new VTE risk-stratification tool at our institution. Patients with a history of VTE, bilateral procedures, or medical conditions already requiring VTE chemoprophylaxis were excluded. We reviewed the medical records to determine (1) type of VTE prophylaxis used, (2) incidence of bleeding/wound complications in the postoperative period, (3) incidence of VTE in the postoperative period, and (4) change in serum hemoglobin. ResultsTwenty-seven patients (46%) were given aspirin for VTE prophylaxis, while 32 patients (54%) received a factor-Xa inhibitor. There were no new VTE complications in either group. And 6 of 32 patients (18.7%) in the Xa inhibitor group had a postoperative bleeding/wound complication (4 delayed healing/blistering, 1 hematoma/excessive ecchymosis, and 1 readmission for cellulitis). There were no (0%) bleeding/wound complications in the aspirin group (P = .03). The change in hemoglobin level was −2.76 g/dL in patients receiving aspirin vs −2.84 g/dL in patients receiving a Xa inhibitor (P = .73). ConclusionIn our study of total joint patients, factor-Xa inhibitors were associated with a higher incidence of bleeding/wound complications. The choice of VTE prophylaxis should be based on the perceived risks of bleeding and wound complications compared to the risks of VTE in each patient.

Low-Dose Aspirin Is Effective Chemoprophylaxis Against Clinically Important Venous Thromboembolism Following Total Joint Arthroplasty

Aspirin is a safe and effective prophylaxis for the prevention of venous thromboembolism following total joint arthroplasty. The optimal dose of aspirin prophylaxis is unknown. Our hypothesis was that lower-dose aspirin is as effective as higher-dose aspirin for the prevention of venous thromboembolism and is associated with fewer gastrointestinal side effects. In a prospective, crossover study, we analyzed 4,651 primary total joint arthroplasty cases performed from July 2013 to June 2015. For 4 weeks, 3,192 patients received enteric-coated 325-mg aspirin twice daily (the 325-mg aspirin group) and 1,459 patients received 81-mg aspirin twice daily (the 81-mg aspirin group). There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in sex, body mass index, or Charlson Comorbidity Index between the two patient populations. Recorded complications occurring within 90 days postoperatively included symptomatic venous thromboembolism (deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism), gastrointestinal complications, acute periprosthetic joint infection, and death. The incidence of venous thromboembolism of 0.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0% to 0.3%) in the 81-mg aspirin group (1 with deep venous thrombosis and 1 with pulmonary embolism) was not significantly different (p = 0.345) from 0.3% (95% CI, 0.1% to 0.6%) in the 325-mg aspirin group (7 with deep venous thrombosis and 5 with pulmonary embolism). The incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding or ulceration of 0.3% (95% CI, 0% to 0.5%) in the 81-mg aspirin group was slightly, but not significantly (p = 0.66), lower than the 0.4% (95% CI, 0.2% to 0.6%) in the 325-mg aspirin group. The incidence of acute periprosthetic joint infection was 0.2% (95% CI, 0% to 0.4%) in the 81-mg aspirin group compared with 0.5% (95% CI, 0.2% to 0.7%) in the 325-mg aspirin group (p = 0.28). The 90-day mortality rate was similar in both groups at 0.1% (95% CI, 0% to 0.2%) in the 81-mg aspirin group and 0.1% (95% CI, 0% to 0.2%) in the 325-mg aspirin group (p = 0.78). Our study demonstrates that low-dose aspirin is not inferior to high-dose aspirin for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis following total joint arthroplasty. This is not unexpected, as the available literature demonstrates that low-dose aspirin is as effective as higher-dose aspirin in the prevention of acute coronary syndrome and cerebrovascular events. Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.