Vena cava filters in unstable elderly patients with acute pulmonary embolism

Inferior vena cava filters are associated with a reduced in-hospital all-cause case fatality rate of unstable patients with acute pulmonary embolism. Whether vena cava filters are associated with a reduced case fatality rate in adults of all ages with unstable pulmonary embolism, particularly the elderly, has not been determined.

Unstable patients with pulmonary embolism (in shock or ventilator dependent) 1999-2008 were identified from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample.

Among 21,095 unstable patients with pulmonary embolism who received thrombolytic therapy, in-hospital all-cause case fatality rate was lower in every age group who received a vena cava filter in addition to thrombolytic therapy (P = .0012 to <.0001). Patients aged ≥ 81 years showed the greatest absolute reduction of case fatality rate with filters (19.3%). Among 50,210 unstable patients who did not receive thrombolytic therapy, case fatality rate also was lower in every age group who received a vena cava filter (all P <.0001). Patients aged ≥ 81 years with vena cava filters showed the greatest absolute risk reduction of case fatality rate (27.7%).

Vena cava filters are associated with a reduced in-hospital all-cause case fatality rate in unstable adults with pulmonary embolism, irrespective of age.