Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin Prophylaxis in Major Orthopaedic Surgery of the Lower Extremity

Abstract

Summary:

Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) has been used for thromboembolic prophylaxis since the early 1990s. Though several are available throughout the world, the most common ones used are enoxaparin and dalteparin. Use of the LMWH has been shown to decrease venous thromboembolic events after total hip and total knee arthroplasty and hip fracture surgery. By decreasing the number of thromboembolic events, the cost of treating these sequelae has been reduced.