Ninety-Day Outcomes in Primary Hypercoagulable Disease Patients Undergoing Total Joint Arthroplasty Vs Normal: A Matched Case-Control Series

Background

Perioperative complications of deep vein thrombosis are well described in the total joint arthroplasty (TJA) literature. Few studies have investigated short-term perioperative outcomes of patients with primary hypercoagulable diseases (PHDs). Optimal perioperative management of PHD patients remains unknown, and they are often referred to tertiary centers for care. We investigated the influence perioperative hematology consultation and anti-coagulation use had on PHD patient outcomes following TJA surgery within the 90-day postoperative period.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study examined perioperative outcomes of PHD patients undergoing TJA. Thirty-eight PHD patients were identified and compared to a 3:1 matched control group in a consecutive series of 6568 cases (2007-2019). Perioperative hematology consultations, use of anticoagulants (AC) or antiplatelet therapy, emergency department (ED) visits, readmissions, and complications within 90 days of surgery were determined.

Results

The PHD cohort exhibited more frequent hematology consultations (odds ratio 5.88, 95% confidence interval: 2.59-16.63) and AC use (odds ratio 7.9, 95% confidence interval: 3.38-23.80) than controls. PHD patients did not show significantly greater rates of deep vein thrombosis, transfusion, infection, ED visits, or need for operative intervention. Similarly, AC vs antiplatelet therapy yielded comparable ED visits and readmissions within 90 days postoperatively (11.0% vs 9.7%, P = .85 and 5.5% vs 5.5%, P = 1, respectively).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that despite increased hematology consultation and AC use, PHD patients do not demonstrate significantly elevated perioperative risks post-TJA, favoring careful preoperative workup and outpatient postoperative follow-up.