BIBR 1048 in the Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients Undergoing Primary Elective Total Hip Replacement Surgery

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients scheduled to undergo a primary elective total hip replacement * Male of female being 18 years or older * Patients weighing at least 40 kg * Written informed consent for study participation Exclusion Criteria: * Bleeding diathesis, constitutional or acquired coagulation disorders * Major surgery or trauma (e.g. hip fracture) within the last three months. Patients with previous hip fractures associated with plate revisions at any time will be excluded * Cardiovascular disease including uncontrolled hypertension at time of enrolment or history of myocardial infarction within the last 6 months * Any history of haemorrhagic stroke, intracranial or intraocular bleeding or cerebral ischaemic attacks * Known history of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) * Gastrointestinal or pulmonary bleeding within the last year * Known liver disease Aspartate transaminase (AST) or Alanine transaminase (ALT) \> 3 x ULN) * Known renal disease (serum creatinine \> 1.5 x ULN) * Use of long- term anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs, or fibrinolytics within 7 days prior to hip replacement operation (also contraindicated during the period of prophylaxis) * Women of childbearing potential * Known allergy to radiopaque contrast media * Known thrombocytopenia (prior platelet count below 100,000 cells/microliter) * Active malignant disease * Current H2 blocker or proton pump inhibitor treatment * Current cytostatic treatment * Treatment with an investigational drug in the past month * Leg amputee * Known alcohol or drug abuse