New therapeutic options in deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis

Joint replacement surgery is complicated by a high rate of postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE). Current thromboprophylactic approaches reduce the rate of VTE, but the incidence remains as high as 20% to 50%. Recombinant hirudins, such as desirudin and lepirudin, function by directly inhibiting thrombin, and are a new development in antithrombotic therapy. In two multicenter studies, desirudin was found to be superior to unfractionated heparin (UFH) in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after total hip alloplasty. A further trial of more than 2,000 patients undergoing elective hip replacement compared the thromboprophylactic efficacy of desirudin versus the low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) enoxaparin. Desirudin was more effective than LMWH in providing effective prophylaxis, and maintained superiority in patients with additional risk. Desirudin was shown to be equally safe and did not require laboratory monitoring. Desirudin (15 mg twice daily) is an efficient therapy for DVT prevention in hip alloplasty patients at additional risk.