The Purpose of this study is to clarify the effects and problems of prophylaxis for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) following total joint arthroplasty in lower extremities using low dose heparin. We administerd 1000 units of heparin twice every 12 hours for 2 weeks to 19 patients, consisting of 7 total hip arthroplasty, 10 total knee arthroplasty, 2 hip prosthesis. Definite deep venous thrombosus diagnosed by ultrasonography or venography was seeen in 2 out of 19 cases (10.5%) and probable DVT diagnosed by value of D-Dimer (>10ug/dL) in 6 out 19 cases (30.5%). Thrombocytopenia occurred as a result of the administration of heparin, but there was no major bleeding. The effectiveness of low dose heparin for prophylaxis of DVT is doubtful but this serves as a safe method.
