EPCAT III - Extended Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis Comparing Rivaroxaban and Aspirin to Aspirin Alone Following Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

Background: Blood clots in the legs and lungs are common complications following hip and knee replacement surgery. Blood thinners are given after these surgeries to prevent blood clots, but are expensive and can lead to bleeding. Aspirin has been shown to work just as well and may be cheaper and safer. In this study, we plan to prove that aspirin works as well as blood thinners to prevent blood clots after hip and knee replacement surgery. Study design: Patients are randomized (like a flip of a coin) to either receive a blood thinner, rivaroxaban, for five days and then aspirin for a few weeks, or just aspirin alone, after these surgeries. Outcomes: We will look at the rates of blood clots, bleeding and death in these patients over 90 days after surgery. Summary: This study has the potential to show that a cheap, commonly used medication like aspirin is just as good and safe as an expensive blood thinner after hip and knee replacement surgeries, which would result in huge cost savings to the health care system.