No significant adverse effects seen with continuous clopidogrel treatment for hip fracture patients

CHICAGO — Researchers found no significant complications with continued administration of clopidogrel perioperatively in geriatric patients who underwent surgery for hip fractures, according to a study presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting.

“In our cohort, there were no excessive complications in patients during hip fracture surgery,” Suresh Srinivasan, MBBS, MD, said.

Srinivasan and colleagues prospectively collected data on 28 patients who underwent hip fracture surgery between 2008 and 2009. During this time, the department policy at their institution was to continue administration of clopidogrel in these patients. The investigators compared the 28 patients on clopidogrel to 30 matched controls and studied return to theatre, wound complications, drop in hemoglobin, blood transfusion rates, readmission and mortality rate within 1 month.

Suresh Srinivasan

The researchers found no significant differences in wound complications, hematoma, excessive wound discharge or return to theatre between the groups. The investigators found a 25% complication rate, but noted that it was not related to the clopidogrel. Readmission rates and deaths within 1 month were not related to continuation of clopidogrel perioperatively, the researchers noted.

“We believe [clopidogrel administration] is an acceptable practice to continue perioperatively in hip fracture patients,” Srinivasan said.

Reference:

Srinivasan S. Paper #199. Presented at: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting; March 19-23, 2013; Chicago.

Disclosure: Srinivasan has no relevant financial disclosures.