The use of inferior vena cava filters in spine trauma: A nationwide study using the National Trauma Data Bank

Objective: To determine the prevalence and variation of inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) use in the spine trauma population and evaluate patient and facility level factors associated with their use.Study Design: Retrospective cohort.Participants/Outcome Measures: Patients with spinal injuries were identified by ICD-9 codes from the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB), the best validated national trauma database. Patients whose spine injuries were operatively treated and those who received IVCF were identified from procedure description fields. Additional information compiled included patient demographics, injury severity score (ISS), time until surgery, concomitant fractures, and facility level information. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship of associated factors for IVCF use.Results: Of the 120,920 patients identified with spinal injuries, 2.4% received prophylactic IVCF. Of the 13,273 patients with operatively treated spinal injuries, 8.2% received prophyla...