Nadroparin or fondaparinux versus no thromboprophylaxis in patients immobilised in a below-knee plaster cast (PROTECT): A randomised controlled trial

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467 patients managed with a below-knee plaster cast for a foot or ankle fracture were randomized to either subcutaneous nadroparin 2850IE daily, subcutaneous fondaparinux 2.5mg daily, or no thromboprophylaxis intervention (control). Patients were screened during follow-up for cases of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Results demonstrated significantly lower rates of deep vein thrombosis in both the nadroparin and fondaparinux groups compared to the control group. All but two cases of DVT in the control group were asymptomatic; symptomatic patients had pulmonary embolism confirmed by CT angiography.