Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Are Associated with Subsequent Lower Cardiovascular Risk

Functional limitation caused by osteoarthritis (OA) is associated with early mortality, attributable mainly to cardiovascular (CV) causes. In this study, investigators in Ontario sought determine whether total hip and knee arthroplasty lowers risk for serious adverse CV events in patients with moderate-to-severe OA.

Using propensity score–matched cohort analysis, researchers compared 153 people (age, ≥55) with confirmed moderate-to-severe OA who underwent total hip or knee arthroplasty with 153 similar patients who did not undergo arthroplasty. The two groups were extremely well-matched in baseline sociodemographic variables, cardiovascular risk factors, and pain and function.

During a median follow-up of 7 years, arthroplasty patients were l…