Deep Vein Thrombosis Prevention

Symptomatic VTE risk is higher for post surgical orthopedic patients compared with the general population and remains elevated for at least 2 months following surgery. The recommended approach to minimize the risk of complications is to prevent pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) via thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery.

Strategies employed for deep vein thrombosis prevention surgical patients vary in ease of use, risk of bleeding, and efficacy. For example, in patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery, the standard of care, as reflected in current guidelines, is to use anticoagulant prophylaxis following hip or knee replacement.Mechanical thromboprophylaxis devices are an appropriate option in patients at high risk of bleeding complications and can be used as an adjunct to anti coagulation.

Coagulation involves a set of complex protease reactions involving different proteins. The final result of these reactions is to convert the soluble protien fibrinogen to insoluble strands of fibrin. Then the platelets, together with the fibrin strand together to form a stable blood clot. Clinicians are now searching for better anticoagulants that require less routine monitoring, may be administered orally, and are highly effective in reducing the risk of VTE, with a low rate of bleeding events and a higher rate of patient acceptance.