Postoperative fondaparinux versus preoperative enoxaparin for prevention of venous thromboembolism in elective hip-replacement surgery: a randomised double-blind comparison

BACKGROUND: Despite use of thromboprophylaxis, elective hip-replacement surgery carries a high risk of venous thromboembolic complications. We aimed to assess the ability of the pentasaccharide fondaparinux, the first of a new class of synthetic antithrombotic agents, to further reduce this risk. METHODS: In a double-blind study, we randomly assigned 2309 consecutive patients aged 18 years or older who were undergoing elective hip-replacement …