Clinical course and predictive factors for complication of inferior vena cava filters

The use of inferior vena cava (IVC) filters is associated with various complications. We aimed to elucidate the clinical course and predictive factors for complications of IVC filters, especially IVC penetration

A retrospective observational study was performed in 45 adult patients with retrievable IVC filters and follow-up computed tomography (CT) between January 2003 and December 2012. Primary outcomes were the prevalence and predictive factors of IVC penetration. Secondary outcome was other complications of IVC filters.

IVC penetration following filter placement occurred in 87.6% of patients, and 57.8% of those involved significant penetration. Embedding of filter tips, suggestive of lateral tilting, was observed in 51.1%. Both Vertebral body erosions and aortic penetrations were seen in 4.4%, but they were asymptomatic. Longer indwelling duration of the IVC filter was significantly associated with a higher grade of IVC penetration, and the risk of significant IVC penetration increased in patients with the filter indwelling time of more than 20 days and an IVC diameter of less than 24.2mm.

In patients with a retrievable IVC filter, IVC penetration on CT was common, and significant IVC penetration was associated with a longer indwelling time of the IVC filter and a lesser IVC diameter.