Severity of disease score as a predictor of mortality after caval filter insertion

PURPOSE: To estimate 30-day mortality after vena caval filter insertion and assess the usefulness of a severity of disease score in predicting postprocedure 30-day survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Records of 40 consecutive patients undergoing inferior vena caval filter insertion over a 2 1/2-year period were retrospectively reviewed, A severity of illness score for each patient was calculated based on the weighting system described for the APACHE (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation) II system. In addition, 30-day postprocedure survival was determined. RESULTS: Seven patients died within 30 days of the procedure (18%), The use of a severity of disease score of greater than 15 as a predictor of postprocedure 30-day mortality had a sensitivity of 50%, specificity of 97%, positive predictive value of 75%, a negative predictive value of 91.4%, and accuracy of 90%. CONCLUSIONS: The 30-day mortality after caval filter insertion is significant, A severity of disease score is a useful predictor of patients likely to survive following caval filter insertion, On this basis it may be possible to establish criteria for more beneficial use of vena caval filters.