International angiology : a journal of the International Union of Angiology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Prevention of major venous thromboembolism following total hip or knee replacement: a randomized comparison of low-molecular-weight heparin with unfractionated heparin (ECHOS Trial).
Venous thromboembolism remains a frequent complication after total hip or knee replacement surgery despite routine prophylaxis. However, the ability of pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis to prevent major venous thromboembolism, defined as proximal deep vein thrombosis, and/or pulmonary embolism, and/or death, has not been previously validated. ⋯ Prophylaxis with reviparin significantly reduces the risk of major venous thromboembolism compared with unfractionated heparin in patients undergoing elective hip or knee replacement without increasing the risk of bleeding.