Preventing venous thromboembolism in major orthopaedic surgery

Despite advances in thromboprophylaxis, venous thromboembolism remains a significant problem in major orthopaedic surgery, associated with significant morbidity and high cost of treatment. Virchow’s triad, as well as patient and procedural risk factors, put many orthopaedic surgery patients at high risk. Diagnosis is based on clinical suspicion in combination with imaging such as ultrasound. Options for prophylaxis include aspirin, warfarin, low-molecular weight heparins and direct inhibitors of coagulation factors. In this review, we discuss the latest American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) guidelines for prevention of venous thromboembolism and their implications for practice.