Hip Fracture, Hip Replacement Surgery, Total Hip Arthroplasty

Hip Fracture

Hip fracture surgery is associated with a high risk of venous thrombosis (VTE). The risk results from stasis of venous blood flow as well as direct injury to the veins during surgery.26
Therapies employed to prevent venous thrombosis (VTE) in surgical patients vary in efficacy, ease of use, and risk of bleeding.3, 55 The standard of care, as reflected in current guidelines, is to use low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), fondaparinux, or vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for thromboprophylaxis after surgery for hip or knee replacement or hip fracture.
Learn more about hip fracture and thrombosis.

Hip Replacement Surgery

Major orthopaedic surgery involving a lower extremity, including hip replacement surgery, is also associated with a high risk of venous thrombosis (VTE). The risk results from stasis of venous blood flow as well as direct injury to the veins during surgery.26
Learn more about hip replacement surgery and thrombosis.

Total Hip Arthroplasty

In North America, warfarin is the most common agent used for thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty. The delayed onset of action of warfarin may prevent excessive bleeding perioperatively, but it also increases the risk of early thrombosis.3
The duration of anticoagulation needed to prevent DVT after hospital discharge is an important aspect of care. Current guidelines recommend extending prophylaxis for four to six weeks after hip arthroplasty and hip fracture surgery.3, 60, 62
Learn more about total hip arthroplasty.
Find out more about hip fracture, hip replacement surgery , and total hip arthroplasty.
See also: DVT Symptom
See also: Apixaban
  • 26 - Merli GJ. Pathophysiology of venous thrombosis, thrombophilia, and the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis-pulmonary embolism in the elderly. Clin Geriatr Med. 2006;22(1):75-92, viii-ix.
  • 3 - Geerts WH, Pineo GF, Heit JA, et al. Prevention of venous thromboembolism: the Seventh ACCP Conference on Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy. Chest. 2004;126(3 suppl):338S-400S.
  • 55 - Kakkar AK. Prevention of venous thromboembolism in general surgery. In: Colman RW, Clowes AW, George JN, Goldhaber SZ, Marder VJ, eds. Hemostasis and Thrombosis: Basic Principles and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins; 2006:1361-1367.
  • 60 - Nicolaides AN, Fareed J, Kakkar AK, et al. Prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism. International Consensus Statement (guidelines according to scientific evidence). Int Angiol. 2006;25(2):101-161.
  • 62 - Lyman GH, Khorana AA, Falanga A, et al; American Society of Clinical Oncology. American Society of Clinical Oncology guideline: recommendations for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis and treatment in patients with cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2007;25(34):5490-5505.