Kerr J, Linkins LA. Thromb Haemost 2010;103:123–8.
The results of this retrospective chart review study suggest a possible increased incidence of venous thromboembolism after knee arthroplasty in patients given dalteparin prophylaxis.
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is an important healthcare problem, resulting in significant mortality, morbidity, and resource expenditure. In particular, pulmonary embolism (PE) is the most common preventable cause of death in hospitals. Over the past few years, the medical community has spent a lot of resources and time on improving thromboprophylactic strategies for hospital inpatients, particularly those undergoing orthopaedic surgery. It is generally believed that as a result of the widespread application of thromboprophylaxis, VTE is now a rare complication. However, some authors have reported a paradoxically increased risk. In the current manuscript, the authors report the incidence of thromboembolic complications following total joint replacement surgery at the Henderson General Hospital in Hamilton, ON, Canada.