Warfarin sodium in prevention of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients with fractured neck of femur

Abstract

In a prospective controlled randomised trial, the prophylactic value of warfarin sodium (in doses aimed at maintaining a "Thrombotest" value of 10% and given from the day of admission until independent mobility had been achieved or for 3 mo, whichever was the sooner) was assessed in 160 elderly patients who had sustained a fracture of the femoral neck. Treatment significantly reduced the frequency of deep venous thrombosis (D.V.T.), whether indicated by the 125I-fibrinogen test during life or assessed by detailed post-mortem studies. Pulmonary embolism was eliminated in treated patients, but the difference in mortality between the treatment and control groups was not significant, indicating that causes of death other than pulmonary embolism are of major importance in these elderly patients. A case is made out for prophylactic anticoagulation on a selective basis.