Deep vein thrombosis and related platelet changes after total hip replacement

Postoperative changes related to platelets and their correlation with the incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) were studied in 30 patients undergoing total hip replacement. Levels of platelet count, platelet-crit, mean platelet volume, spontaneous platelet aggregation, platelet factor 4 (PF4) and beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) were measured before operation and on the 1st, 3rd and 7th postoperative days. DVT was detected by 125I-fibrinogen leg scanning in 11 of the patients.

After the operation there was a significant and progressive increase (p less than 0.01) in PF4 and beta-TG, and the presence of circulating platelet aggregates was demonstrated. Platelet count levels and platelet-crit were decreased on the 1st and 3rd postoperative days followed by recovery on the 7th day.

The changes observed following total hip replacement were not related to the development of postoperative DVT.

CITA DEL ARTÍCULO  Haemostasis. 1985;15(6):389-94