Early surgical fixation of proximal femur fractures under active direct oral anticoagulation (DOAC) therapy does not increase the postoperative blood loss. Results from a prospective cohort study with a matched-pair analysis

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to investigate whether early surgery in patients under active DOAC (direct oral anticoagulation) therapy with trochanteric, proximal femur fractures leads to higher postoperative blood loss. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study on DOAC patients with trochanteric, proximal femur fractures undergoing early surgery (≤ 24 h) was conducted. Propensity score matching with a retrospective control group of DOAC patients with trochanteric, proximal femur fractures undergoing delayed surgery (> 24 h) was performed for comparison. Key outcome measurements included peri- and postoperative blood loss, transfusion rates, time to surgery and hospital length of stay (LOS). RESULTS: No differences in the median blood loss in patients undergoing early surgery vs. delayed surgery on postoperative day 1 (1078.35 ml (IQR 745.86) vs. 1120.79 ml (IQR 928.50); p = 0.824) or postoperative day 3 (1592.39 ml (IQR 1304.91) vs. 1339.73 ml (IQR 735.57); p = 0.165) was seen. No differences in the rate of blood transfusion (72.5% vs. 68.1%; p = 0.576) or the number of transfused red blood cells (RBCs) (2 units (IQR 2) vs. 2 units (IQR 3); p = 0.567) were detected. A significantly longer median time to surgery, and a significantly longer LOS was seen in the delayed surgery group (p < 0.001). No difference in the rates of perioperative complications was detected between both groups. CONCLUSION: Early surgery of trochanteric, proximal femur fractures within 24 h under active DOAC therapy does not increase postoperative blood loss or the need for postoperative blood transfusions but leads to a significantly shorter length of stay. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IIb.