JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association
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Comment Observational Study
Postmarketing Surveillance of Inferior Vena Cava Filters Among US Medicare Beneficiaries: The SAFE-IVC Study.
Inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) are commonly used to prevent pulmonary embolism in selected clinical scenarios, despite limited evidence to support their use. Current recommendations from professional societies and the US Food and Drug Administration endorse timely IVCF retrieval when clinically feasible. Current IVCF treatment patterns and outcomes remain poorly described. ⋯ In this large, US real-world analysis, IVCF insertion declined, yet retrievals remained low. Strategies to increase timely retrieval are needed, as nonretrieved IVCFs may have long-term complications.