Venous Thromboembolism in Hip Fracture Patients: A Subanalysis of the FAITH and HEALTH Trials

A total of 2520 patients in the FAITH and HEALTH trials with hip fractures were included in this sub-analysis assessing the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and factors associated with VTE. The primary outcome of interest was the incidence of VTE in the hip fracture population. Secondary outcomes of interest included timing of VTE, prophylaxis prescribed, and factors associated with VTE. 64 patients (2.5%) reported a VTE event, the majority (n=61; 95.3%) occurring post-operation. VTE events were reported 6 weeks before and after sustaining a fracture (54.7%, 45.3%; respectively). The most common methods of pre-operative prophylaxis were low-molecular weight heparins (46%) and mechanical ventilation (18%). The most common method of post-operative prophylaxis was low-molecular weight heparin (73%). Age, comorbidity treatment, post-operative thromboprophylaxis, and increased time to surgery were not associated with an increase in VTE incidence. Arthroplasty was associated with a significantly greater incidence of VTE compared to internal fixation (p=0.02).