Abstract
Over the past several years there has been a rapid increase in the number of inferior
vena cava (IVC) filters placed for primary thromboprophylaxis. Increased use has occurred
in settings where other methods of thromboprophylaxis are viewed to be inadequate,
technically challenging, or that place patients at an unacceptably high bleeding risk.
These clinical services include trauma, bariatric surgery, neurosurgery, cancer, intensive
care unit populations, and patients with a relative contraindication to anticoagulation.
We review the studies to date addressing filter placement for these indications. Although
preliminary data are promising, the patient populations most likely to benefit from
prophylactic IVC filter placement have not been well defined, and randomized studies
demonstrating efficacy have not been conducted. Moving forward, it will be critical
to accomplish these two tasks if IVC filters are to continue to have a role in primary
thromboprophylaxis.
Keywords
ivc filter - thromboprophylaxis - pulmonary embolism prophylaxis
