Low dose aspirin is effective in preventing venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty.

Merkow, David B; Tang, Alex; Iorio, Richard; Slover, James D; Bosco, Joseph A; Schwarzkopf, Ran · J Orthop · 2021

retrospective_cohort · Level III

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Abstract

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a known complication after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with well-established morbidity, mortality, and significant healthcare expenditure. However, no standard form of prophylaxis against VTE currently exists. A retrospective review was performed identifying 12,866 TKA cases and post-operative VTE events using either 325 mg aspirin or 81 mg aspirin twice daily (BID). 133 VTE cases were diagnosed of the 9413 TKA on 325 mg aspirin BID compared to 8 VTE cases out of 3453 TKA on 81 mg aspirin BID (1.41% vs. 0.23%, p < 0.001). 81 mg aspirin BID significantly improved post-operative VTE rates over 325 mg aspirin BID.

Anatomy