Incidence of thrombotic events and complications associated to inferior vena cava filters in patients with and without anticoagulation therapy

Anticoagulation is the primary management to prevent venous thromboembolism; inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) provide a mechanical prophylactic alternative when anticoagulation is contraindicated. The aim of this study was to evaluate in IVCF patients, whether the initiation of anticoagulation therapy is associated with decreased rates of recurrent thrombotic events and device-related complications.This was a retrospective review of patients that underwent insertion of IVCF. Subjects with IVCF were studied in two groups: those initiated on anticoagulation (A) and without anticoagulation (NA). Variables as indications for IVCF, anticoagulation, recurrence of thrombosis, complications, and reinterventions were examined.From April 2007 to March 2014, 54 patients underwent IVCF placement; (61% of females), with mean age of 54 years (standard deviation ± 19). 28 (52%) were initiated on anticoagulation, during a mean follow-up period of 28 months, five experienced recurrent thrombosis and three were on the A group (p=0.5); when comparing patients that developed post-thrombotic syndrome, seven were in the A group and seven in the NA. Two patients with IVC rupture were in the A group (p=0.5), and the only case of IVCF migration occurred in the A group. 11 (20%) patients died from comorbidities nonrelated to the device or procedure (four in the A cohort).Patients with IVCF on anticoagulation have equivalent rates of thrombotic events and device-related complications than those patients NA.La anticoagulación es la terapia de elección para la prevención de tromboembolismo venoso; los filtros de vena cava inferior (FVCI) proveen una alternativa mecánica profiláctica cuando la anticoagulación está contraindicada. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar si la terapia anticoagulante se asocia con una tasa menor de eventos trombóticos recurrentes y complicaciones relacionadas con el dispositivo.Los pacientes fueron categorizados en dos grupos: Aquellos a los que se les inicio anticoagulación (A) y aquellos que no (NA). Variables tales como indicación de la colocación del filtro, anticoagulación, recurrencia de trombosis y complicaciones fueron examinadas.De abril de 2007 a marzo 2014, a 54 pacientes se les coloco un filtro (61% fueron mujeres), con una media de edad de 54 años [Desviación estándar (DE) ± 19. Veintiocho (52%) fueron iniciados en anticoagulación y durante un seguimiento de 28 meses, 5 pacientes experimentaron recurrencia de trombosis, 3 en el grupo A (p=0.5). Al comparar los pacientes que desarrollaron síndrome posflebítico, 7 pertenecieron al grupo A y 7 al grupo NA. Dos pacientes con ruptura de vena cava pertenecieron al grupo A (p=0.5) y el único caso de migración del dispositivo ocurrió en el grupo A. Once (20%) pacientes fallecieron debido a comorbilidades no relacionadas con el dispositivo o el procedimiento.Pacientes con FVCI en anticoagulación tienen tasas de eventos trombóticos y complicaciones asociadas a los dispositivos equivalentes a aquellos pacientes sin anticoagulación.