Prevention of deep vein thrombosis by low-molecular-weight heparin and dihydroergotamine in patients undergoing total hip replacement.

In 110 high-risk patients undergoing total hip replacement the antithrombotic efficacy and safety of a single daily injection of 1500 aPTT-U low-molecular-weight heparin plus 0.5 mg dihydroergotamine (Embolex) was, in a double-blind study, compared with a twice daily administration of 5000 IU of the heparin-dihydroergotamine combination Heparin-Dihydergot. Deep vein thrombosis diagnosed with phlebography occurred in 9.

[Hip near osteosynthesis, total hip replacement and prevention of thromboembolism (author's transl)].

The effect of physiotherapy and pharmacological treatment in preventing thromboembolic disease at hip-near operations was compared from 1971 to 1978 in 787 patients being more than 60 years old. Physiotherapy alone and its completion by Dextran and Acetyl-salicylic-acid turned out to be insufficient. It was only by low-dose Heparin in combination with Dihydroergotamin (Dihydergot) and continuing physiotherapy that the rate of thromboembolism could be lowered effectively.