Population-Based Disparities in Inferior Vena Cava Filter Procedures Among Medicare Enrollees With Acute Venous Thromboembolism.

Abstract

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) imposes a significant clinical and financial burden on patients and society. Inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) are considered for patients with absolute contraindications or failures of anticoagulation. However, studies examining the population-based disparities of IVCF placement and retrieval are limited. The association between patient and clinical characteristics in the likelihood of and time to IVCF placement and retrievals in a nationally representative cohort was examined. Medicare patients aged ≥65 years with index VTE claims between 2015 and 2018 were followed through 2019 to identify IVCF placements and retrievals. Rates were compared using survival analysis methods. Of the 516,978 patients with VTE diagnoses, 5,864 (1.1%) had IVCFs placed, and 1,884 (32.1%) of those underwent retrieval procedures. Placement and retrieval rates varied significantly by demographics, comorbidity burden, and geographic region. From Cox regression, older age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.26; P < .0001), higher baseline comorbidity (Elixhauser) score (HR, 1.07; P < .0001), and outpatient (vs inpatient) site of VTE service (HR, 2.11; P < .0001) were associated with increased frequency of IVCF placement. The rate of retrieval was significantly lower for men (HR, 0.83; P = .0393), patients with higher comorbidity scores (HR, 0.95; P = .0037), and those with outpatient (vs inpatient) VTE sites of service (HR, 0.77; P = .0173). Neither facility- nor county-level characteristics were significantly associated with placements or retrievals. This large cohort of Medicare beneficiaries with newly diagnosed VTE demonstrated inequities in IVCF placement and retrieval.