ROLE OF ANTICOAGULANTS AFTER TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT

Aim:To study and evaluate the role of anticoagulants in patients undergoing tkr and to assess the risk of the complications developed following total knee replacement procedure. Objective: the primary objective is to study the patients undergoing tkr and assess the risk of dvt. To study the prophylactic anticoagulants prescribed their doses, duration and their benefit in preventing dvt and associated complications. Background: the principle diagnosis for tkr is osteoarthritis. Although knee replacement is said to be a safe procedure, complications like vte may arise even after using prophylactic methods. Methodology: a prospective observational study was carried out in aster prime hospital for duration of 6 months. 84 patients of osteoarthritic knee were selected who had undergone tkr surgery. Their history, anticoagulant therapy, lab monitoring parameters were routinely checked for any complications. Follow up was done through phone calls. Results: out of 84 patients, the common age group in which tkr was performed in oa patients was 61-70yrs. The percentage of females was found to be higher (62%) than males (38%). The most common anticoagulants prescribed to the patients were enoxaparin (lmwh) and aspirin. Some patients developed complications like dvt (1.19%), pe (1.20%), sepsis (1.17%), thrombocytopenia (1.10%) and wound complications (2.38%) for which specific treatment was given. Conclusion: the role of prophylactic anticoagulants for dvt in elective tkr has been constantly evolving. Hence an equilibrium should be maintained between the efficacy and safety of anticoagulant therapyas inappropriate anticoagulation leads to excessive bleeding and other complications. Keywords: osteoarthritis, total knee replacement, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary thromboembolism, venous thromboembolism