Incidence of venous thromboembolism and hemorrhage related safety studies of preoperative anticoagulation therapy in hip fracture patients undergoing surgical treatment: a case–control study

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism is a common postoperative complication following orthopedic surgeries, with morbid and potentially fatal consequences. Perioperative low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) therapy can reduce the incidence of venous thromboembolism, but may also increase the risk of bleeding complications. Current literature reflects the need to balance the improved efficacy of early initiating prophylaxis with increased risk of perioperative bleeding. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness and hemorrhage related safety of preoperative versus postoperative LMWH therapy for prevention of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in hip fracture patients. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 222 patients who underwent surgical treatment at Peking University People's Hospital between January 2009 and December 2010. Patients were allocated to two groups, receiving either preoperative or postoperative initiation of LMWH therapy for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. Preoperative anticoagulation therapy was initiated 1–12 days prior to surgery (133 patients), and postoperative anticoagulation therapy was initiated 12 h after completion of surgery (89 patients). The preoperative group was further subdivided into four subgroups according to the time of initiation of therapy: 1–3 days before surgery (group A, 54 patients), 4–6 days before surgery (group B, 57 patients), 7–9 days before surgery (group C, 15 patients), and 10–12 days before surgery (group D, 7 patients). Occurrences of DVT, PE, adverse drug effects, intraoperative and postoperative bleeding were recorded, along with concentrations of preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin and length of hospital stay. The above parameters were compared between groups. RESULTS: Among recipients of preoperative anticoagulation therapy, two patients developed postoperative PE (1.5 %), one patient developed DVT (0.75 %). In the group receiving postoperative initiation of anticoagulation therapy, one patient each developed PE and DVT (1.1 %, 1.1 %). There was no difference in the occurrence of PE and DVT between the two groups (P>0.05, Chi-square tests). We identified the incidences of major bleeding, minor bleeding, and intraspinal hematoma after spinal anesthesia, which were 0 %/0 %, 3.76 %/3.37 %, and 0 %/0 %, respectively in preoperative and postoperative anticoagulation groups. There was no significant difference in the incidence of bleeding complications between patients receiving preoperatively initiated LMWH with patients receiving postoperatively initiated LMWH. Spinal anesthesia was administered to 168 patients, with no cases of postoperative intraspinal hematoma. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative anticoagulation therapy with LMWH may not increase intraoperative or postoperative blood loss, or the rate of intraspinal hematoma after spinal anesthesia, but also does not significantly reduce the risk of postoperative DVT or PE, compared to postoperative initiation.