Duration of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery*

TKA: total knee arthroplasty; THA: total hip arthroplasty; HFS: hip fracture surgery; VTE: venous thromboembolism; ASA: aspirin; LMWH: low molecular weight heparin; DOAC: direct oral anticoagulant.

* This algorithm is intended for patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery (eg, TKA, THA, HFS) that is not the result of severe blunt or penetrating traumatic injury. The principles that underlie this algorithm likely also apply to those who undergo a partial hip arthroplasty or partial knee arthroplasty.

¶ Patients who undergo TKA or THA are generally considered at high risk for VTE. However, the range of risk within this "high risk" category is wide. Patients at the lower end of this risk may be suitable for an ASA-containing regimen, while those at the higher end may not be suitable for an ASA-containing regimen.