Paiement G, Wessinger SJ, Waltman AC, Harris WH.
Low-dose warfarin versus external pneumatic compression for prophylaxis against
venous thromboembolism following total hip replacement.
J Arthroplasty 1987;2(1):23-6

Lower doses of warfarin are effective in the treatment of proven proximal deep vein
thrombosis (DVT), and at a substantially lower risk of bleeding complications
than with standard doses. The authors compared low-dose warfarin with external
pneumatic compression (EPC) boots for prophylaxis against DVT and efficacy and
safety in a population of total hip replacement patients at high risk for DVT and
bleeding complications. DVT developed in 12 of 72 patients on low-dose warfarin
and 11 of 66 patients on EPC. Both regimens were as efficacious as traditional
higher doses of warfarin used in prior studies. No major bleeding complications
occurred in either group. Low-dose warfarin appears to be an effective and
relatively safe form of prophylaxis against postoperative DVT, as does sequential
EPC of the calf and thigh.