Comparing aspirin, enoxaparin, and rivaroxaban post primary total knee replacement: A prospective study from Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery are at significantly high risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE), and therefore the routine use of thromboprophylaxis has been standard-of-care for several years. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical outcomes for aspirin, enoxaparin, and rivaroxaban post primary total knee replacement surgery. Method: This is a prospective observational study that is done in two medical centers in Saudi Arabia. A prospective data collection sheet was used to follow up each patient for 35 days post-surgery. Results: In this study, 242 patients were included with a response rate of 87.86% (242/276), according to the type of Extended VTE Prophylaxis medications patients were divided on 3 groups; Enoxaparin 85/242 (35.1 %), Rivaroxaban 128/242 (52.9 %), Aspirin 29/242 (12.0 %). Conclusion: In this study, rivaroxaban has the worst profile, in both having the highest number of DVT cases, as well as 2 minor bleeding cases. Aspirin group patients have the best profile in terms of complications and recovery measures post-surgery.