SUMMARY
Patients who had total hip arthroplasty (unilateral/bilateral) were randomized to receive prophylaxis with aspirin plus intermittent pneumatic compression device or low molecular weight heparin. After four to six days, all patients underwent bilateral lower-extremity color doppler ultrasonography to screen for deep venous thrombi in the calf, thigh, and pelvic veins. 180 patients (224) joints) were randomized into 2 groups. Prevalence of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in Indian patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty was 1.11% and 0.55% respectively. The rates of deep venous thrombosis were 2.22%, in the aspirin plus compression group compared 0% in the low molecular weight heparin group. The rates of pulmonary embolism were 1.11% in the Aspirin plus compression group and 0% in the heparin group, and there were no fatal pulmonary emboli. Within the six weeks and three months follow-up, no thromboembolic events occurred. The rate of major bleeding events was 1.11% in the aspirin and compression group and 10% in the low-molecular-weight heparin group.