Clinical experience with fondaparinux in antiaggregate patients undergoing total hip and knee arthroplasty

Abstract

Patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty have a high risk for post-operative venous thromboembolism. The current study addressed the use of fondaparinux post-operatively in 556 patients with antiplatelet therapy in order to prevent deep vein thrombosis as well as demonstrate efficacy in preventing arterial thrombotic events. Results provided evidence for a safe and effective prophylaxis strategy, involving the change from low molecular weight heparin pre-operatively to fondaparinux postoperatively. Also, fondaparinux proved effective as a unique post-operative therapy in the prevention of venous thromboembolism with no adverse effects, such as major bleeding or arterial thrombosis in patients with pre-operative antiplatelet therapy.