A Comparison of Discharge and Two-Week Duplex Ultrasound Screening Protocols for Deep Venous Thrombosis Detection Following Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty

Abstract

There was no significant difference between the group that received two weeks of warfarin chemoprophylactic prophylaxis and the group that was screened at the time of hospital discharge with regard to the detection of deep venous thrombosis with use of compression ultrasound. On the basis of these findings, we no longer screen asymptomatic patients for deep venous thrombosis following hip and knee replacement, and all patients receive warfarin anticoagulation for two weeks.