Should we use dabigatran or aspirin thromboprophylaxis in total hip and knee arthroplasty? A natural experiment.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Despite 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.

Methods

We 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.

Results

Pre-intervention, the dabigatran prescription rate was 73% (n = 139) and 78% (n = 123) with aspirin prescription post-inter

SUBMITTER: McHale S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6806636 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature