Risk factors associated with complex inferior vena cava filter retrievals and complications: A 7‐year retrieval database analysis and the impact on retrieval rates at an Australian tertiary centre

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) affects approximately 17,000 Australians annually. While anticoagulation is the mainstay of treatment, inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) are used in patients where this is contraindicated. The primary aim was to identify risk factors for complex retrievals and IVCF-related complications following the establishment of a database at a single tertiary centre. The secondary aim was to evaluate the IVCF retrieval rate and patients lost to follow-up.A retrospective study at a single tertiary centre was conducted on IVCFs inserted from 2012 to 2018. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate potential risk factors for filter-related complications and complex retrievals.In total, 402 patients had an IVCF inserted. Of these, 308 patients (77%) had a retrieval attempted, 10 (3%) of which required more than one retrieval attempt (complex retrieval). Factors associated with filter-related complications included dwell time (OR 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.04) and select indications for insertion, namely VTE requiring thrombolysis/thrombectomy (OR 2.29, 95% CI: 1.02-5.16) and iliocaval/free-floating iliofemoral DVT without thrombectomy/thrombolysis (OR 5.89, 95% CI: 1.53-22.71). After mutual adjustment for all variables, only dwell time remained a significant factor for filter-related complications (adjusted OR 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.05) and complex retrieval (AOR 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.08). The annual retrieval rate increased from 73% (2012) to 83% (2018), with an overall retrieval rate of 75%.Dwell time is a potential risk factor for filter-related complications and complex retrievals. The annual IVCF retrieval rate was 75% since an Interventional Radiology-led database was established.