Portable Compression Device and Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin Compared With Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin for Thromboprophylaxis After Total Joint Arthroplasty

277 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (n=153) and total hip arthroplasty (n=124) were randomized to use a portable continuous enhanced circulation therapy (CECT) compression device, in addition to low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), or receive low-molecular-weight heparin alone. The results after 3 months indicated that in the patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty, the risk for developing DVT was reduced with the combined treatment of the portable CECT compression device and prophylaxis with LMWH, compared to chemical prophylaxis alone. No change was observed in pulmonary embolism occurrence. However, this positive effect was not seen in total hip arthroplasty patients as the DVT occurrence was not different between the two treatment groups.