PROPHYLAXIS AGAINST DEEP-VEIN THROMBOSIS IN TOTAL HIP-REPLACEMENT - COMPARISON OF HEPARIN AND FOOT IMPULSE PUMP

We performed a randomised controlled study to compare heparin with the A-V Impulse System in the prevention of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) in 132 consecutive patients undergoing total hip replacement. After the operation, all patients had compression stockings, 65 were treated wit h calcium heparin and 67 with the intermittent plantar pump. DVT was d iagnosed by Doppler ultrasound and thermography, followed by phlebogra phy. There were 23 cases of DVT (35.4%) in the heparin group, with 16 major and seven minor thromboses. In the impulse pump group there were nine cases (13.4%) with three major and six minor thromboses. The dif ferences for all thromboses and for major thromboses were both signifi cant at p < 0.005. In the heparin group there was one fatal pulmonary embolism and nine patients (13.8%) had excessive bleeding or wound hae matomas, as against none in the impulse pump group.