Abnormal Coagulation as a Risk Factor for Postoperative Complications After Primary and Revision Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND

Patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty (TJA) have an increased likelihood of having an abnormal coagulation profile compared with the general population. Coagulation abnormalities are often screened for before surgery and considered during perioperative planning. This study assesses a preoperative abnormal coagulation profile as a risk factor for postoperative complications after total hip arthroplasty (THA), revision THA (rTHA), total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and revision TKA (rTKA) and then examines specific coagulopathies to determine their influence on complication rates.

METHODS

Patients who underwent THA, rTHA, TKA, or rTKA from 2011 to 2017 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database and then assessed for preoperative abnormal coagulation profiles. Various postoperative complications were analyzed for each cohort, and two separate multivariate regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between abnormal coagulation and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

403,566 THA, rTHA, TKA, or rTKA cases were identified, and 40,466 (10.0%) of patients were found to have an abnormal coagulation profile. Patients with preoperative coagulation abnormalities had higher likelihoods of postoperative complications after primary TJA than in revision TJA. An international normalized ratio>1.2 was associated with the most types of postoperative complications, followed by a bleeding disorder diagnosis. A partial thromboplastin time>35 seconds was associated with only one type of postoperative complication, while a platelet count <150,000 per μL was associated with postoperative complications only after TKA.

CONCLUSION

TJA in patients with abnormal coagulation profiles may result in adverse outcomes. These patients may benefit from preoperative intervention. Prophylactic care needs to be personalized to the specific coagulation abnormalities present.