Abstract
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality. This is
especially true for hospitalized patients. Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the leading
preventable cause of in-hospital mortality. The preferred method of both treatment
and prophylaxis for VTE is anticoagulation. However, in a subset of patients, anticoagulation
therapy is contraindicated or ineffective, and these patients often receive an inferior
vena cava (IVC) filter. The sole purpose of an IVC filter is prevention of clinically
significant PE. IVC filter usage has increased every year, most recently due to the
availability of retrievable devices and a relaxation of thresholds for placement.
Much of this recent growth has occurred in the trauma patient population given the
high potential for VTE and frequent contraindication to anticoagulation. Retrievable
filters, which strive to offer the benefits of permanent filters without time-sensitive
complications, come with a new set of challenges including methods for filter follow-up
and retrieval.
Keywords
inferior vena cava (IVC) filter - venous thromboembolism - deep vein thrombosis -
pulmonary embolism - trauma - complications
