Comparison of intermittent pneumatic compression system with low-molecular-weight heparin for the prevention of deep-vein thrombosis after total hip replacement

Objective To compare the safety and effectiveness of the intermittent pneumatic compression system with those of low-molecular-weight heparin for prevention of deep-vein thrombosis after total hip replacement.Methods 61 patients were performed a randomized trial to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of low-molecular-weight heparin as compared with the intermittent pneumatic compression system to prevent deep-venous thrombosis after total hip replacement.Patients in low-molecular-weight heparin group were given 0.2 ml subcutaneously daily,and patients in intermittent pneumatic compression group were treated by intermittent pneumatic compression system from 5h after surgery till 14 days after surgery.Quality detect plasma D-dimer and P-selectin and Color Doppler Flow Imaging in two groups were examined on one day before surgery and the third day after surgery and the seventh days after surgery respectively.Results There were 3 patients and 2 patients with deep-vein thrombosis in the intermittent pneumatic compression system group and low-molecular-weight heparin group respectively.No patient developed clinical features of a pulmonary embolism.There were no significant between these two groups(P0.05).Conclusions This study confirms the safety and efficacy of intermittent pneumatic compression system compared with low-molecular-weight heparin and supports the use of mechanical compression for prophylaxis against deep venous thrombosis in patients following total hip arthroplasty.