D V T P ro p h y l a x i si n Tot a l J o i n tR e c o n s t r u c t i o n
Neil P. Sheth, Jay R. Lieberman, MDCraig J. Della Valle, MD
Prophylaxis Deep venous thrombosis Venous thromboembolism Total joint arthroplasty
Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is the end result of
the earlier part of this decade. The surgical care
a complex interaction of events including the acti-
improvement project (SCIP) guidelines, a result
vation of the clotting cascade in conjunction with
of the consensus, require documentation of initia-
platelet aggregation. It has been clearly demon-
tion of DVT prophylaxis in the time period extend-
strated that patients undergoing major lower
ing from 24 hours before surgery to 24 hours
extremity orthopedic surgery, especially total joint
arthroplasty (TJA), are at high risk for developing
a postoperative DVT or a subsequent pulmonary
emphasis on pay-for-performance (P4P) whereby
embolus (PE). In the arena of TJA, orthopedic
physicians receive increased compensation as
surgeons are particularly concerned with proximal
a function of meeting certain ‘‘standards of
Patients undergoing primary total hip arthro-
Despite several years of evaluating this ques-
plasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have
tion, the best prophylaxis for thromboembolic
exhibited rates of symptomatic PE as high as
disease remains controversial.The use of phar-
20% and 8%, respectively when no prophylaxis
macologic prophylaxis has been adopted as the
standard of care for treatment of these patients
venous thromboembolic (DVT and PE) prophy-
by many orthopedic surgeons at most centers
laxis, most commonly pharmacologic prophylaxis,
has become the standard of care for patients
between the efficacy of VTE prophylaxis and the
undergoing elective TJA. The risk of fatal PE
increased risk for bleeding in the postoperative
following primary hip or knee replacement has
period continues to exist. In recent years, this
been consistently reported to be between 0.1%
debate has brought about the development of clin-
and 0.2%, regardless of the chemoprophylactic
ical guidelines to improve patient care, address
key questions, define evidence-based recommen-
Based on the necessity of postoperative venous
dations, and promote future research. Clinical
thromboembolic (VTE) prophylaxis following TJA,
guidelines are not meant to represent a predefined
the National Quality Forum endorsed a voluntary
protocol or absolute rules for treatment, and
consensus standard for inpatient hospital care in
should never substitute for clinical judgment.
The authors have not received any financial support for the work and have no other financial or personalconnections to the work presented in this article. a Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University, Midwest Orthopaedics, 1725 West Harrison Street,Chicago, IL 60612, USAb Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, New England Musculoskeletal Institute, Medical Arts and ResearchBuilding, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-4038, USAc Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University, 1725 West Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA* Corresponding author. E-mail address:
doi:10.1016/j.ocl.2010.02.0010030-5898/10/$ – see front matter ª 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Dependent on the clinical guideline followed, from
guidelines from 1998 and 2001 recommended 7
the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) or
to 10 days of prophylaxis that coincided with the
the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
length of hospital stay (Grade IA recommenda-
(AAOS), there are several recommended regimens
tion).In 2004, the guidelines were revised to
available for treatment. Included in the options are
recommend out of hospital prophylaxis for 28 to
low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs), synthetic
35 days (Grade IA) but excluded patients under-
pentasaccharides, adjusted-dose warfarin, aspirin,
going TKA.With additional revisions, the 2008
and mechanical prophylaxis. Several studies have
evaluated the various modalities for DVT prophy-
laxis, and comparison studies have stratified the
warfarin for up to 10 days following THA and
TKA (Grade IA), and up to 35 days following THA
The following review addresses the controversy
underlying VTE prophylaxis by outlining 2 guide-
As with any guidelines being used to guide
lines and demonstrating the pros and cons of
physicians in medical decision making, the risk
different DVT prophylaxis regimens based on the
versus benefit must be assessed. Implementation
available evidence-based literature.
of the current ACCP guidelines has been associ-ated with certain disadvantages, as reported in
the orthopedic literature. Burnett and colleagues
reported a 4.7% readmission rate, 3.4% irrigationand debridement rate, and 5.1% rate of prolonged
The ACCP was founded in 1935, and the first set of
hospitalization following 10 days of LMWH after
guidelines for venous thromboembolic prophylaxis
(VTE) was published in 1986. The goal of these
patients with a wound hematoma or persistent
guidelines is to focus on the prevention of the
wound drainage are at higher risk for a postopera-
overall rate of VTE. These guidelines are based
tive deep joint infection. As a direct consequence
on a review of prospective, randomized studies
of the concerns for postoperative bleeding risk
only. The guidelines have subsequently gone
and potential for infection, orthopedic surgeons
through several iterations with the most recent
may prefer a more risk-averse method by which
update in Inherent to these guidelines is
to prevent thromboembolic phenomena following
that all primary THA and TKA patients are consid-
TJA, especially because the rate of PE is similar
ered ‘‘high risk’’ regardless of patient age, activity
regardless of the chemoprophylaxis agent used.
These guidelines have become commonplace in
the evaluation of health care systems on behalf of
hospitals, insurance companies, and attorneys. The recommendations were classified as Grade I
A work group from the AAOS in conjunction with the
(strong recommendation, with benefits outweigh-
Center for Clinical Evidence Synthesis (Tufts New
ing risk, burden, and cost) or Grade II (recommen-
England Medical Center) proposed a new set of
guidelines for the prevention of symptomatic and
recommendation was further substratified: (A)
fatal PE in patients undergoing elective TJA. The
AAOS guidelines are a synthesis of an expert
results and a low level of bias, (B) randomized
consensus as well as an analysis of 42 articles pub-
controlled trials with inconsistent results or a major
lished since 1996, and focus on the prevention of
methodological design flaw, and (C) observational
symptomatic PE. The clinical outcomes of choice
studies.The use of LMWH, fondaparinux (penta-
for evaluation included symptomatic and fatal PE,
saccharide), and warfarin (with an adjusted inter-
death, and major bleeding episodes following
national normalized ratio [INR] between 2.0 and
TJA.Consensus recommendations included the
3.0) all received a Grade IA recommendation for
use of regional anesthesia, mechanical prophylaxis
preventative treatment of total hip and knee ar-
for all patients, rapid postoperative mobilization,
throplasty; aspirin or low-dose unfractionated
and adequate patient education. Each patient
heparin received a Grade IA rating against their
required a preoperative evaluation for a determina-
use for prophylaxis in patients following TJA. The
tion of ‘‘standard’’ and ‘‘high’’ risk potential. The
choice of a specific chemoprophylaxis agent was
devices received a Grade IB rating for prevention
based on the individual risk-benefit profile for PE
These guidelines also address the duration of
prophylaxis. During the first iteration, the ACCP
following system: (A) good evidence (level I studies
DVT Prophylaxis in Total Joint Reconstruction
with consistent findings) for recommending inter-
a weakness inherent to the AAOS guidelines is
vention, (B) fair evidence (level II or III studies
the inability to accurately assess the preoperative
with consistent findings) for recommending inter-
risk for DVT/PE. In reality, based on the nature of
vention, and (C) poor-quality evidence (level IV or
TJA, arthroplasty patients may not truly be consid-
ered low risk. In addition, there are studies to
the total number of recommendations from this
demonstrate rates of VTE as high as 72% following
set of guidelines, only 4 of them were derived
the administration of aspirin,thus raising the
from a systematic review of the literature. Addi-
question of whether the use of aspirin is adequate
tional general consensus recommendations are
For patients at standard risk for both PE and
major bleeding complications, the recommenda-tion is as follows: aspirin, LMWH, pentasacchar-
The use of LMWH has gained enthusiasm within
the orthopedic community due to its well-docu-
recommendation is based on level III evidence
mented bioavailability and the absence of moni-
toring for clotting indices (ie, INR). The efficacy of
For patients at elevated risk for PE and standard
LMWH is well documented. In multiple random-
risk for major bleeding complications, the recom-
ized trials, including THA and TKA patients,
mendation is as follows: LMWH, pentasaccharide,
LMWH has been more effective than warfarin in
or warfarin (INR goal of %2.0). This recommenda-
limiting overall DVT rates. However, LMWH is
tion is based on level III evidence and was given
associated with higher bleeding rates. Because
the selection of a prophylaxis agent is a balance
For patients with standard risk of PE and
between efficacy and safety, some surgeons
elevated risk of major bleeding complications,
the recommendation is as follows: aspirin, warfarin
concerns related to bleeding and its impact on
(INR goal of %2.0), or none. This recommendation
overall outcomes. An additional consideration
is based on level III evidence and was given
with any medication choice is the cost; the cost
of LMWH remains relatively high as compared
For patients with elevated risk of both PE and
major bleeding complications, the recommenda-
As with any postoperative chemoprophylaxis
tion is as follows: aspirin, warfarin (INR goal of
regimen, duration of treatment is always of concern.
%2.0), or none. This recommendation is based
The ACCP guidelines have changed their recom-
on level III evidence and was given a grade of C.
mendations since the initial guidelines introduced
The most important concept that is fundamental
in 1998. The most recent recommendation from
to the AAOS guidelines for thromboembolic
the ACCP in 2008 states that patients undergoing
prophylaxis is that the risk versus benefit for
THA or TKA should receive chemoprophylaxis
each individual patient must be assessed in the
with LMWH for 7 to 10 days (Grade IA recommenda-
preoperative period. The general recommenda-
tion), and this may be extended to up to 35 days
following THA. Administration of LMWH for 35
work group’s consensus, and address a majority
days following TKA received a Grade 2B recom-
of the perioperative issues with prophylaxis. For
mendatioAs stated previously, the choice of
patients with elevated risks for PE, major bleeding
agent as well as the duration of prophylaxis is based
complication, or both, these guidelines provide an
on a risk versus benefit analysis which should be
effective manner by which to treat these patients in
individualized for each arthroplasty patient.
the postoperative period following TJA. However,
Fondaparinux is a newer synthetic pentasaccharide
that is a potent inhibitor of Factor Xa in the
clotting cascade. The typical dosing is 2.5 mg/dadministered subcutaneously with the first dose
being given at 6 to 12 hours postoperatively. This
drug is not recommended for patients that weigh
less than 50 kg or those with renal insufficiency.
As with LMWH, the concern associated with the
use of fondaparinux is for bleeding complicationsin the postoperative period.
Table 2Consensus recommendations from the AAOS work group
Assess all patients preoperatively with regard to their risk
Assess all patients preoperatively with regard to their risk
(standard vs high) of bleeding complications
Consider vena cava filter placement for patients who have
a known contraindication to anticoagulation therapy
Consider intraoperative or immediate postoperative
Consider regional anesthesia for the procedure (in
Consider use of mechanical prophylaxis postoperatively
Routine screening for thromboembolism is not
Educate the patient about symptoms of thromboembolism
Data from Johanson NA, Lachiewicz PF, Lieberman JR, et al. Prevention of symptomatic pulmonary embolism in patientsundergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2009;17(3):183–96.
The use of fondaparinux received a Grade 1A
concomitantly taken by a patient for other comor-
bid conditions (). As a result, the goal INR is
Regarding duration of treatment, the most recent
A meta-analysis of all randomized controlled
changes to the ACCP guidelines in 2008 support
clinical trials reported on the overall efficacy of
the use of the agent for 35 days after THA (Grade
warfarin as a prophylactic agent following THA.
Patients treated with warfarin had the lowest rate
concerns about using this drug in patients at an
of proximal DVT as well as symptomatic PE, with
increased rate of bleeding as seen in the AAOS
a rate of 6.3% and 0.16%, respectively. The risk
guidelines, but this is not an evidence-based
of major postoperative bleeding in these patients
was no higher than that in patients treated witha placebo.
The use of warfarin as an effective prophylactic
agent following TKA has been thoroughly demon-
Warfarin is the oldest vitamin K antagonist used for
chemoprophylaxis, with the longest track recordof use in the postoperative period followingprimary hip or knee arthroplasty. The traditional
nature of medicine has helped maintain warfarin
as a popular agent, because it was the treatmentof choice when most orthopedic surgeons trained
during residency. Warfarin has demonstrated effi-
cacy as an effective chemoprophylaxis agent
against thromboembolic disease; however, it is
Quinolone antibiotics (ie, ciprofloxacin)
not without its disadvantages. Immediately post
administration, the patient is in a relatively hyper-
coagulable state due to diminished levels ofprotein C and protein S via actions of the drug.
Each patient requires daily dosing and the blood
is monitored daily for an INR level to determine
the appropriate dose to administer. Warfarin is
very sensitive to dietary changes and has interac-
tions with several medications that may be
DVT Prophylaxis in Total Joint Reconstruction
randomized clinical trials have compared the effi-
chemoprophylaxis be timed appropriately to mini-
every study, LMWH was more effective than
Aspirin functions by way of inhibiting platelet
warfarin as a prophylactic agent, but there was
aggregation, and if given immediately preopera-
no significant difference in the rates of symptom-
tively, can function in this manner intraoperatively
atic proximal DVT or PE. The postoperative
and in the immediate postoperative period; other
bleeding rates were typically higher in the LMWH
chemoprophylaxis agents exhibit a postoperative
delay before the onset of the desired prophylaxis
With regard to the goal INR, different clinical
effect. The major benefit associated with aspirin
guidelines present differing recommendations. Ac-
use is its low prevalence of wound-healing prob-
cording to the ACCP clinical guideline, a goal INR
lems, hematoma formation, and other serious
of 2.0 to 3.0 received a Grade 1A recommendation.
bleeding complications that are readily associated
This recommendation was made based on random-
with more potent anticoagulant agents.
ized trials that used an INR range of 2.0 to 3.0 as the
In the arena of TKA, aspirin has been equally as
target for prophylaxis.For each scenario depicted
effective as other anticoagulant agents when fatal
by the AAOS where the use of warfarin is warranted,
PE is used as an end poinLotke and colleagu
the goal INR is 2.0 or less. The difference in the goal
reported on 2800 consecutive primary TKAs in
INR is based on risk versus benefit between prophy-
patients treated with aspirin and mechanical
laxis against thromboembolic disease and bleeding
prophylaxis, demonstrating a low rate of bleeding
risk. The AAOS guidelines consistently make recom-
complication and a fatal PE risk of 0.1%. However,
mendations that are more conservative and attempt
aspirin is not as effective in decreasing the risk of
to minimize the postoperative bleeding risk and
symptomatic DVT in the setting of THA. The Pulmo-
nary Embolism Prevention trial was a randomized
As with the use of LMWH, the ACCP guidelines
clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of
have changed their recommendations regarding
aspirin in preventing symptomatic VTE disease
the duration of warfarin use following primary hip
following THA. More than 4000 patients were
or knee replacement. The 2008 ACCP guidelines
randomized to receive aspirin (n 5 2047) or
recommend up to 35 days of warfarin use (goal
a placebo (n 5 2041) for 35 days following surgery.
INR 2.0–3.0) with a Grade 1B recommendation
There was no statistical difference in the rate of
for THA and a Grade 1C recommendation for
symptomatic DVT between the 2 groups (P>.5).
TKA patients. The AAOS recommendation, for
patients of standard risk for PE and bleeding, is 2
following primary hip and knee arthroplasty has
to 6 weeks of treatment with low-dose warfarin
decreased significantly over the past decade,
(goal INR %2.0). Even in patients with an elevated
mainly due to a multidisciplinary approach. Rapid
PE and bleeding risk, low-dose warfarin is recom-
postoperative mobilization, optimization of surgical
management, including the use of regional anes-
thesia, have all contributed to decreasing the DVTrisk. The ACCP guidelines do not support the use
Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) has gained in popu-
of aspirin for prophylaxis following TJA, because
larity as an agent for DVT prophylaxis following
this drug has not been extensively evaluated in
total joint replacement because it is safe, inexpen-
multicenter randomized trials. The AAOS guide-
sive, does not require monitoring, is easy to
lines support the use of aspirin for 6 weeks except
administer, and lends itself to high patient compli-
in patients that are at high risk for PE and have stan-
ance. The recommended dosing in the postopera-
dard bleeding complication risk; these patients are
tive period is 325 mg twice daily for the duration of
not candidates for aspirin use because of the iden-
tified preoperative elevated risk for PE.
premise that chemoprophylaxis should be admin-
Because the selection of a prophylaxis agent is
istered to reduce the risk of PE and subsequent
a balance between safety and efficacy, aspirin
death, not DVT; inherent to this argument is that
combined with mechanical devices is an attractive
DVT should not be used as a surrogate for PE
regimen for some orthopedic surgeons for their
because all patients with a DVT do not inevitably
routine TJA patients. Although aspirin is less
potent than other chemoprophylactic agents, it is
Aspirin does not interfere with anesthetic admin-
also associated with less bleeding. Aspirin needs
istration because it does not increase the risk of
to be evaluated in large randomized trials that
neuraxial bleeding. The use of an epidural catheter
assess symptomatic events to determine its true
for pain control requires that postoperative
The basic difference between the ACCP and the
The use of mechanical prophylaxis is predicated
AAOS guidelines is that the chest physicians
on the premise that decreasing lower extremity
believe that asymptomatic clots are clinically rele-
venous stasis in conjunction with increasing
vant. Therefore, the ACCP guidelines were devel-
venous blood flow will decrease the likelihood of
oped from the data obtained from randomized
trials, which used venogram data as a surrogate
affect local fibrinolysis, but do not affect systemic
outcome measure. In contrast, the AAOS guide-
fibrinolytic Intermittent plantar compres-
lines reflect the concerns of orthopedic surgeons
sion devices were designed to replicate the hemo-
with a focus on symptomatic clots, PE, and
dynamic effects of normal walking by rapid
bleeding risk. Furthermore, the AAOS guidelines
emptying of the plantar arch during the compres-
highlight the importance of developing prophylaxis
sion phase of the device.The advantages of
regimens for each individual patient based on PE
mechanical prophylaxis are evident and include
and bleeding risk. This is an important concept,
an absence of monitoring and no risk of bleeding.
which moves us toward risk stratification. Unfortu-
In addition, intermittent plantar compression
nately, it is difficult to risk stratify most patients
devices are thought to be less cumbersome than
based on available data but it is a goal to strive
pneumatic boots, which extend the length of the
entire lower leg. However, the major disadvan-
Surgeons need to be aware that the SCIP guide-
tages are that prophylaxis ceases on patient
lines recommend LMWH, fondaparinux, and/or
discharge from the hospital, and patient compli-
warfarin for THA and TKA patients. Pneumatic
ance is critical to either device being effective.
compression devices are also acceptable for
Several randomized clinical trials have demon-
patients undergoing TKA procedures. Therefore,
strated that pneumatic compression boots can
aspirin and pneumatic compression devices are
limit distal thrombus formation.As a result,
acceptable for TKA patients. A surgeon may
there has been concern regarding the efficacy of
mechanical compression in reducing the rates of
concerns about bleeding, but this must be docu-
proximal clot formation in the setting of THA.
Small randomized trials have compared pneu-matic compression boots and warfarin in patientsundergoing THA and have demonstrated that
mechanical prophylaxis is less effective than
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Service Recovery Paradox: A Meta-Analysis Celso Augusto de Matos, Jorge Luiz Henrique and Carlos Alberto Vargas Rossi The online version of this article can be found at:http://jsr.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/10/1/60 can be found at: Journal of Service Research Additional services and information for Citations Service Recovery Paradox: A Meta-Analysis Celso Augusto d
CHLORIDE MATERIALS REQUIRED BUT NOT SUPPLIED Interferences no interference was observed by the presence of:Current laboratory instrumentation. Spectrophotometer UV/VIS with thermostatic cuvette holder. Automatic micro-pipettes. Glass or high quality polystyrene cuvettes. Deio- Precision REAGENT PREPARATION SUMMARY OF TEST intra-assay (n=10) mean (mEq/l) SD (mEq/l) Chloride is