[Efficacy and safety of prophylactic preoperative administration of low-dose warfarin in cemented total knee prostheses].

One hundred and fifty six consecutive cemented total knee arthroplasties (TKA) in 147 patients (39 males, 108 females, mean age: 67) received preoperatively low-dose-warfarin for thromboembolic prophylaxis. Warfarin 10 mg was given the night before surgery and warfarin 5 mg the night of surgery. Thereafter, the dosage was adjusted to maintain a prothrombin time between 1.2-1.5 times control (INR = 2.0-3.0). The screening for any deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the operated limb was by ascending venography. The reported incidence of DVT after TKA without prophylaxis is superior to 50%, more than 10% of those are proximal DVT. In this study, the overall incidence of DVT is down to 22.4%. Only five patients (3.4%) had a proximal DVT. There were no deaths and no clinical pulmonary embolisms. Patients with venous insufficiency had a significantly higher incidence of DVT (36.7%, p = 0.05). The average blood loss was 406 ml. Three major local bleedings occurred (2.0%). At one year follow-up, there were no infections. Low dose warfarin is efficacious in reducing DVT formation with TKA. It is safe and does not create excessive bleeding in cemented TKA.