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Pulmonary Embolism Risk Increases After Bilateral THA, TKA

Study finds three times as many patients experienced embolisms after procedures.

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By: Michael Barbella

Managing Editor

Patients undergoing bilateral total hip or knee arthroplasty remain at a higher risk for pulmonary embolism even after being screened before surgery, according to study results.

Researchers retrospectively reviewed in-patient pulmonary embolism (PE) rates for patients who underwent unilateral or bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA) between 2002 and 2011.

Of the 7,347 THA and TKA surgeries completed, the researchers found 36 patients experienced postoperative PE while in the hospital. Among the 3,576 primary unilateral THA surgeries performed, six patients experienced postoperative PE, whereas one of 194 patients experienced PE after bilateral THA.

Of the 3,239 primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty surgeries performed, the researchers found 20 cases of PE; eight cases of PE occurred among the 428 bilateral TKA surgeries.

According to the study results, three times as many patients experienced PE after bilateral THA/TKA compared with those who underwent unilateral surgery.

“Patients who are considering simultaneous bilateral total joint arthroplasty surgery should be counseled appropriately as to the increased risk of PE,” the researchers wrote. “The potential risk of PE and other complications needs to be weighed against the benefits of having a single surgery for each individual patient.”

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