Racial disparities in inferior vena cava filter use in metabolic and bariatric surgery patients: Nationwide insights from the MBSAQIP database

Abstract

BackgroundProphylactic inferior vena cava (IVC) filter use in bariatric surgery patients is a physician- and patient-dependent practice pattern with unclear safety and efficacy. Factors that mediate physicians’ decisions for IVC filter placement preoperatively remain unclear. The role of race in decision-making also remains unclear. MethodsFrom the 2015–2016 MBASQIP database, patient characteristics leading to IVC filter use and outcomes after IVC filter placement were compared between Black and White primary bariatric surgery patients. ResultsProphylactic IVC filter was used in 0.66% of Black and White patients. IVC filter use was three-fold higher in Black patients, despite this cohort having a lower venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk profile than White counterparts. Black race was an independent predictor for IVC filter placement on multivariate analysis. After receiving an IVC filter, Black patients had higher rates of 30-day adverse outcomes. ConclusionsIn this study, Black race was independently associated with the likelihood of receiving a prophylactic IVC filter, despite lower rates of VTE risk factors and lack of recommendations for its use. Further research is needed to explore why this disparity in clinical practice exists.