Thromboembolism after hip and knee arthroplasty: diagnosis and treatmentDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases Orthopaedic Institute, New York, NY, USA. Postoperative thromboembolism is a potentially lethal complication. Its diagnosis may be difficult, as the classic clinical signs and symptoms are often absent, making a high index of suspicion imperative for diagnosis. Anticoagulant therapy is effective in reducing morbidity and mortality due to thromboembolism, but is associated with a substantial rate of bleeding complications in the immediate postoperative period. Inferior vena cava filters constitute an alternative to anticoagulant therapy, but are also associated with a substantial complication rate. The appropriate use of diagnostic tests combined with clinical suspicion can guide the orthopaedic surgeon in deciding which patients require treatment for thromboembolism. This article has been cited by other articles:
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