Deep Vein Thrombosis in Patients Suffering from Hip and Pelvic Fractures

It seems that the rate of deep vein thrombosis in Asia is low. The aim of this study is to investigate the rate of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) among Iranian patients suffering from hip fracture (proximal of femur) and pelvic fracture (acetabulum) and to analyze the risk factors associated with DVT. This clinical trialstudy was done in the Orthopedy Ward of Shahid Kamiab Hospital of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences during the year 2005. A total of 116 consecutive skeletal fracture patients with a mean age of 59.92 years were investigated. Patients divided into two groups of case (44 patients) and control (72 patients). Patients in the case group were treated using a standardized protocol for DVT prophylaxis (Enaxaparin; 40 mg by subcutaneous injection, once daily) within 24 hours of injury after establishing haemodynamic stability. Control group received no drugs or treatment. Duplex ultrasound was done 9 days and 3-6 weeks after admission. Personal data, previous history of general and heart diseases and radiology results were collected in questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The mean age of patients with DVT was 63.5 years (standard deviation [SD], 11.22 years). The mean age of patients without DVT was 58.64 years (SD, 14.74 years). Four patients (9.1%) showed DVT in spite of chemoprophylaxis. There was significant relation between the both groups (p=0.021). Results show that the incidence of DVT after acute hip and pelvic fracture in Iranian traumatized patients was high. So the use of low molecular weight heparin is recommended for above patients.