Recurrent thromboembolism in patients with vena cava filters

Background Patients with venous thromboembolic disease are treated with anticoagulation or vena cava filter placement to prevent pulmonary embolism. A recent report suggested that filter placement map increase the risk of recurrent deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and prompted a review of our experience. Methods: Prospectively collected data on 2109 consecutive patients receiving filters mere evaluated for recurrent thromboembolism, vena cava occlusion, or venous stasis ulceration. Outcomes were stratified and analyzed according to the use of anticoagulants at the time of insertion and at follow-up. Incidence rates were also compared with reports in the literature. Results: Of 1191 patients with DVT at. tilter placement, complete follow-up data at a mean of 9 pears were available for 465. Recurrent DVT was found in 1.2% of the 241 patients who were given anticoagulants and 15% of the 224 who mere not (P > .05). We also failed to find a significant association between the use of anticoagulation and the incidence of pulmonary embolism (2%), stasis ulceration (2%), and vena cava occlusion (0.0). Conclusions: Recurrent DVT in patients with existing thromboembolic disease is not an unexpected event, which, in our experience, is not associated with anticoagulant or filter use. Anticoagulation should be used when possible to treat existing DVT to reduce thrombus progression and potentially to reduce subsequent complications but does not seem to reduce the rate of recurrent DVT. Rates of recurrent thromboembolism were consistently less than the 20% to 50% reported in the literature.