(Ivanhoe Newswire) – Researchers say the majority of patients who’ve
had hip and knee replacements aren’t receiving the medicine they need after
surgery. Patients can develop blood clots, which is why guidelines recommend
taking an antithrombotic drug following the procedure.
The study was led by researchers from the Research Institute of the McGill
University Health Centre and McGill University. Study authors analyzed the
records of more than 7,000 patients in Quebec who had hip and knee
replacements. They found only 19 percent of them received antithrombotic
treatment after surgery. The standard recommendation is treatment for at
least 10 days and up to 35 days after surgery.
Study authors say the majority of hip and knee replacements are performed on
elderly patients, who have a higher risk of blood clots. The risk of dying
following the surgery is low, but it increases for patients who do not take
antithrombotic drugs after leaving the hospital.
Researchers say this study shows the gap between official treatment
guidelines and the clinical realities. They feel more research is needed to
determine if antithrombotic medicine should be the standard treatment.
SOURCE: Canadian Medical Association Journal, 2008
