Does Aspirin Like Enoxaparin Effective to Reduce Thromboembolic Disease in Patients with Total Knee Arthroplasty Surgery?

Background: Thromboembolic disease is a common complication among patients undergoing total hip and knee arthroplasty. There are a large number of clinical trials demonstrating the efficacy of aspirin and enoxaparin in preventing pulmonary emboli and deep venous thrombosis. This study aimed to investigate the preventive role of aspirin and enoxaparin after knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods: In this retrospective study, 160 patients undergoing knee arthroplasty at Imam Hossein Hospital, Tehran, Iran between January 2010 and February 2012 were studied. Patients were divided into treatment groups receiving enoxaparin and aspirin and were evaluated within 28 days after surgery. After examining demographic factors including age and sex, variables such as DVT, pulmonary embolus, infection, transfusion RBCs and mortality were evaluated.

Results: A total thrombosis rate of 0.0125% (one deep venous thrombosis) was observed. The two groups were not significantly different in the number of patients with complications such as DVT, pulmonary embolism, infection, average number of packed RBCs, and mortality.

Conclusion: We believe that course aspirin is as effective and safe as enoxaparin for thromboprophylaxis.