Medicina (Mar 2025)

Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Hemophilic Patients Undergoing Total Hip or Knee Arthroplasty: Insights from a Single-Center Experience

  • Oana-Viola Badulescu,
  • Paul-Dan Sirbu,
  • Manuela Ciocoiu,
  • Maria Cristina Vladeanu,
  • Carmen Elena Plesoianu,
  • Andrei Bojan,
  • Dan Iliescu-Halitchi,
  • Razvan Tudor,
  • Bogdan Huzum,
  • Mihnea-Theodor Sirbu,
  • Norin Forna,
  • Gheorghe Sofron,
  • Wilhelm Friedl,
  • Iris Bararu-Bojan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61040570
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 61, no. 4
p. 570

Abstract

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Background and Objectives: Total hip replacement and total knee arthroplasty carry a high risk of postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE); therefore, anticoagulation prophylaxis is recommended in these patients. Unfortunately, there are no guidelines about VTE prophylaxis in patients with hemophilia who underwent these high-risk surgeries. To determine whether these patients have a high risk of VTE, we conducted a retrospective study on patients with hemophilia who underwent elective arthroplasty at our hospital in 2016. Materials and Methods: There were 11 patients with hemophilia A and B who underwent high-risk surgeries. Recombinant factor VIII or IX and also active recombinant Factor VII were used for perioperative hemostasis, and LMWH was administered for thromboembolic prophylaxis. Postoperatively, we collected information on the duration of factor VIII/IX infusion, VTE-prophylaxis, and complications. Results: Postoperative bleeding was minimal in most cases, with an average blood loss of 500 mL. No major thrombotic events were reported, and the need for transfusion was low, with only one patient requiring additional blood products. The VTE prophylaxis included prophylactic enoxaparin and hemostatic treatment. At the 1-year follow-up, we did not find any evidence of clinical VTE in our patients. Conclusions: Better risk stratification is needed to identify patients who would benefit from pharmacological prophylaxis. Total arthroplasty in hemophilic patients is feasible and safe when managed by a multidisciplinary team and supported by tailored antithrombotic prophylaxis protocols. The use of recombinant coagulation factors and LMWH ensures effective bleeding control and thromboembolic prevention, enhancing patient outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of individualized care in this high-risk population.

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