[Prevention of thromboembolic disease and post-transfusional complications using normovolemic hemodilution in arthroplasty surgery of the hip].

A prospective randomized study was conducted to evaluate the effect of moderate normovolemic haemodilution in arthroplastic surgery of the hip, to prevent postoperative deep vein thrombosis and the need for postoperative transfusion. The patients (n = 151) were divided into three groups: 48 patients received Dextran + Acetylsalicylic Acid as a prevention of the thromboembolic complications (Group I). 57 patients received a low dose of Heparin according to the Kakkar protocol (Group II). 52 patients were operated under Haemodilution (Group III). In Group I and II homologous blood transfusions were necessary in 83% of the cases, and in two cases posttransfusional hepatitis were observed. In Group III haemodilution avoided the use of homologous blood. Therefore of the three methods this study showed that haemodilution is the best way to prevent postoperative thrombo-embolism, significantly more effective than Heparin and Dextran, in arthroplastic hip surgery.