Preventing venous thromboembolism in elderly patients with hip fractures: Studies of low-dose heparin, dipyridamole, aspirin, and flurbiprofen

Abstract

Low-dose heparin, dipyridamole (alone and in combination with aspirin), and flurbiprofen were evaluated as potential prophylactic agents against deep venous thrombosis in elderly patients with hip fractures. None of the agents that modify platelet behaviour could reduce the frequency of isotopically diagnosed venous thrombosis. Low-dose heparin reduced the overall frequency of venous thrombosis and its extent as judged by the frequency of bilaterally abnormal scans, but this reduction did not achieve statistical significance. © 1977, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.