Intermittent pneumatic compression devices combined with anticoagulants for prevention of symptomatic deep vein thrombosis after total knee arthroplasty: a pilot study

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effectiveness of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices combined with anticoagulants for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In total 120 patients were involved in this pilot study. Patients in the control group received 10 mg of rivaroxaban per day after surgery. In addition to the prescription of rivaroxaban, IPC devices were used in the experimental group. The diagnosis of DVT was made by compression duplex ultrasound on postoperative day 9. RESULTS: The incidence rates of overall, proximal, distal, and intermuscular DVT were 8.3%, 0%, 1.67%, and 6.67% in the experimental group; and 18.3%, 0%, 5%, and 13.33% in the control group, respectively. The incidence rates of total, distal, and intermuscular DVT in TKA patients was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group. For patients with DVT, enoxaparin was used instead of rivaroxaban, and DVT was found to have disappeared 10–14 days postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Compared with the use of rivaroxaban alone, IPC devices combined with anticoagulants can significantly reduce the incidence rate of distal DVT and intermuscular DVT in the early postoperative period after TKA.