After which type of procedure might a patient be prescribed anticoagulants?

A patient is often prescribed anticoagulants after orthopedic surgery, such as hip or knee replacement, due to the increased risk of developing blood clots in the deep veins (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT). During these types of surgeries, especially when there is significant manipulation of the lower extremities or prolonged immobility during recovery, the likelihood of clot formation elevates. Anticoagulants help prevent these complications by inhibiting the clotting process, thus maintaining proper blood flow and reducing the chances of post-operative complications like pulmonary embolism.

In contrast, while cosmetic surgery and procedures like cardiac catheterization can also present risks for clotting, they typically have different protocols for anticoagulant use or might not necessitate long-term anticoagulation therapy post-operatively. An appendectomy generally has a lower risk for thromboembolic events, thus anticoagulants are not commonly required following that procedure.