Survival in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty in relation to thromboprophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin: a long-term follow-up study

The aim of the study was to determine the long-term survival in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty in relation to type of perioperatively administered thromboprophylaxis. Patients from seven randomized controlled trials of the effect of thromboprophylaxis on development of early thromboembolic complications after total hip arthroplasty were included in a follow-up analysis with death as the end-point. There was no difference in survival between groups receiving active thromboprophylaxis, but there was a general trend towards a better survival in the 3 placebo groups compared with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), (RR: 1.53; C.I.: 1.04–2.25). There was a significant excess of cardiovascular deaths in the LMWH groups (RR: 2.48; CI: 1.45–4.24). Long-term prospective studies should be performed to assess the long-term effect of various thromboprophylactic regimens on morbidity and mortality after total hip arthoplasty.