Indications and Prognostic Outcome of Inferior Vena Cava Filter: Almoosa Hospital's Experience

Abstract

Background: Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter can be used for patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) with any of the following conditions: Contraindications for anticoagulants, recurrent pulmonary embolism (PE) despite anticoagulants, or anticoagulants-related complications, and poor cardiopulmonary reserve.This study aimed to assess indications, efficacy, and outcome of IVC filter insertion for patients with VTE.Methods: This retrospective study was performed at Almoosa Hospital, Alhasa, Saudi Arabia, from August 2017 to August 2020 and met the inclusion criteria. All adult patients who received an IVC filter insertion were included. Results:The study included 1350 cases. We divided the patients into two groups, group 1: 1310 patients who had VTE without need for IVC filter insertion, and group 2: 40 patients, 39 who had VTE, and IVC filter insertion was needed and one poly-trauma patient and IVC filter were inserted prophylactically. A total of 40 IVC filters were inserted. Thirty patients (75%) had a submassive PE with pulmonary hypertension and poor pulmonary vascular reserve, 9 patients (22.5%) had VTE with contraindications to anticoagulant (due to either gastrointestinal bleeding, cerebral hemorrhage, or major trauma) while one patient (2.5%) had prophylactic IVC filter in the absence of VTE. The rate of IVC retrieval was 30% (12 cases) without complications reported to IVC insertion or removal except one case filter was removed on 2 different sessions. Conclusion:IVC filter insertion is a safe and effective method of preventing potentially fatal PE originate from the pelvic and lower extremity deep venous thrombosis when used appropriately.