A change in strategy for filter choice leads to improved filter retrieval rates.

Objective: To assess whether a new strategy for the choice of inferior vena cava filter placed would improve filter retrieval rates at our institution.

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent retrievable filter placement for temporary embolic protection between January 2021 and January 2023 were considered for study inclusion. Risk factors for nonretrieval of short-term filters were identified in patients receiving filters between January 2021 and January 2022 (prestrategy group). For patients treated between February 2022 and January 2023 (poststrategy group), a long-term filter was recommended for those with these risk factors, and a short-term filter was recommended for those without these risk factors.

Results: The study population included 303 patients (prestrategy group, n = 154; poststrategy group, n = 149). Long-term immobilization (odds ratio [OR] = 38.000; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.858-210.564), active cancer (OR = 17.643; 95% CI: 5.462-56.993), and venous thromboembolism detected in the intensive care unit (OR = 28.500; 95% CI: 7.419-109.477) were identified as independent risk factors for nonretrieval of short-term filters. The total retrieval rate was significantly higher in the poststrategy group (87.2%) than in the prestrategy group (72.7%; P = 0.002); the short-term filter retrieval rate was also significantly higher in the poststrategy group (84.5%) than in the prestrategy group (68.5%; P < 0.001).

Conclusion: The proposed strategy for filter choice based on risk factors for short-term filter nonretrieval can accurately identify patients who need long-term filter placement while also increasing the retrieval rates for both short-term filters retrieval rates and overall retrieval rates.