Prevention of thrombosis after hip fracture surgery. Comparison of dextran 70 with and without dihydroergotamine.

The efficacy of dextran 70 with or without dihydroergotamine as prophylaxis against deep venous thrombosis (DVT) was tested prospectively in a randomized series of 65 patients with fracture of the hip. Diagnostic evaluation was made with bilateral ascending phlebography on postoperative day 7. In the dextran 70 group, 5 of the 27 phlebographically studied patients had DVT, an incidence not significantly different from the 10 DVT among 28 patients given dextran 70 + dihydroergotamine. Bleeding complications showed no intergroup difference. The study did not confirm a beneficial effect of dextran 70 in combination with dihydroergotamine as compared with dextran alone in regard to thrombotic complications after surgery for hip fracture.