EPHESUS trial (thrombosis prophylaxis)

The EPHESUS trial aimed to determine whether the pentasaccharide fondaparinux was more effective than low-molecular-weight heparin at preventing deep venous thrombosis after elective hip replacement.

The multi-centre, double-blind trial enrolled 2309 consecutive patients, aged over 18 years, undergoing elective hip-replacement surgery. Patients were allocated to postoperative 2.5 mg s/c injections of fondaparinux vs. 40 mg s/c injections of enoxaparin daily.

Reference:

1) Lassen MR, Bauer KA, Eriksson BI, Turpie AG; European Pentasaccharide Elective Surgery Study (EPHESUS) Steering Committee. (2002). Postoperative fondaparinux versus preoperative enoxaparin for prevention of venous thromboembolism in elective hip-replacement surgery: a randomised double-blind comparison. Lancet 359(9319):1715-20