Low molecular weight heparin and aspirin for prevention of deep vein thrombosisafter orthopaedic surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To comprehensively evaluate the clinical effects of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and aspirin for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) patients after orthopaedic surgery. Studies comparing LMWH and aspirin were retrieved in multiple databases. Review Manager 5.0 was adopted for meta-analysis, sensitivity analysis and bias analysis. Finally, 4460 patients in 6 studies were included, and the eligibility criteria were finally met. The meta-analysis suggested that there was significant difference between LMWH and aspirin groups in DVT (RR = 0.58, 95%CI [0.39, 0.88], P = 0.01; P for heterogeneity = 0.45, I-2 = 0%). Postoperative bleeding between the two groups showed no difference (RR = 2.20, 95%CI [0.48, 10.09], P = 0.31; P for heterogeneity = 0.79, I-2 = 0%) This study shows that LMWH is a more effective therapy than aspirin for patients with DVT after orthopaedic surgery.

Automated summary

The study indicates that LMWH is more effective than aspirin for patients with DVT after orthopaedic surgery, with no significant difference in postoperative bleeding risk between the two groups.