Reference Search
| Prophylaxis against Deep Venous Thrombosis after Total Knee Arthroplasty |
| Source: Westrich GH, Sculco TP: J Bone Joint Surg 78-A(6): 826-834, 1996 |
| Summary: The efficacy of pulsatile pneumatic compression combined with aspirin was compared to the use of aspirin alone for DVT prophylaxis after total knee arthroplasty. This article "supports the use of mechanical compression for prophylaxis against deep venous thrombosis and for the reduction of edema in patients who have had a total knee arthroplasty." In addition to increased venous return, rapid (pulsatile) inflation may "increase turbulence around venous valves, thus decreasing the formation of thrombi… hemodynamic studies have confirmed increased blood flow and tissue perfusion with the release of endothelial-derived relaxing factor [EDRF] and prostacyclin." |