Patients with a thrombotic history are thought to be at greater risk for developing blood clots following total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The incidence of venous thromboembolism and risk factors associated with clot development in this population of patients, however, are not well defined.

From the years 2002 to 2008, 547 patients undergoing elective joint arthroplasty with a history of thrombotic disease, defined by prior history of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE), were followed prospectively for a minimum of one month after TKA or THA. Patients received prophylactic anticoagulation with coumadin starting on POD 1 with or without bridge therapy with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). Patients were compared for the following risk factors: advanced age (> 70 years old), inherited or acquired thrombophilia, time elapsed since prior episode, association of prior episode with surgery, and method of anticoagulation.

Of the 547 patients, 72 (13.2%) developed symptoms consistent with DVT or PE. Thirty-two thromboembolic events (5.9%, 26 DVT, 6 PE) were confirmed by lower extremity Doppler ultrasound, spiral computerized tomography or ventilation-perfusion scanning. 60% of events occurred before POD 3, and the average INR at the time of diagnosis was 1.67. The incidence of thromboembolism was 14.6% and 9.9% for unilateral TKA and THA, respectively and 27.6% and 25% for bilateral TKA and THA, respectively. The institutional rate of DVT during that same time frame is 1.9%. History of inherited or acquired thrombophilia (p< 0.01), time elapse since prior thrmoboembolic event (p=0.04), and association of prior events with surgery (p=0.02) significantly increase the risk of thromboembolism in this population. Bridge therapy with LMWH of any dose did not significantly reduce the risk of DVT or PE, however, there was a trend towards significance (p=0.17). Eight patients (1.5%) experienced bleeding complications; 6 were major in nature (gastrointestinal bleeding and joint hematoma).

Patients with a thrombotic history are at increased risk for developing DVTs after joint arthroplasty. These patients share the same risk factors for development of DVT or PE then patients without a history of prior events. Furthermore, thromboembolic events tend to occur early following surgery in these patients and treatment with LMWH may help reduce the risk of developing clots when used in combination with coumadin.