Metabolic Syndrome Increases the Risk for Pulmonary Embolism after Joint Arthroplasty

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is considered a risk factor for venous thrombosis. We studied whether patients with MS undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty have an increased risk for pulmonary embolism (PE). Using our institutional database, we retrospectively studied 7282 patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty from January 2001 to April 2006. Metabolic syndrome was defined as body mass index above 30 kg/m², preadmission glycemia 200 mg/mL, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia. The incidence of PE was 1.47% (107/7282). Patients with higher number MS comorbid components had an increased incidence of PE. After multivariate analysis metabolic syndrome had a 1.6 times increased risk of developing PE compared with patients without MS. These findings suggest that patients with MS are at increased risk for PE after total joint arthroplasty. Identification of patients with metabolic syndrome who may be at increased risk of PE may allow implementation of protocols that could minimize this complication.