A single center experience with retrievable IVC filters

Vascular. 2015 Aug;23(4):350-7. doi: 10.1177/1708538114546713. Epub 2014 Sep 2.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate retrievable IVC filters in our institution and assess their retrieval following a well-structured follow up program.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Materials: The medical records of patients implanted with retrievable IVC filters were reviewed.

Methods: All retrievable filter insertions between July 2007 and August 2011 at our institution were reviewed. Data was analyzed for age, gender, indication, complications, retrieval rate, and brand of filter inserted. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software v19. Chi-square was used to compare discrete data and t-test for continuous data. P < 0.05 was significant.

Results: A total of 484 patients were reviewed of which 258 (53.1%) had a complete medical record. And 96 (37.2%) filters were placed as permanent at the time of insertion. An additional 40 (15.5%) filters were converted to permanent (total permanent filters 136; 52.7%). Death was reported in 26 (10%) patients and 96 (37.2%) out of the remaining 232 patients presented for potential retrieval. Also, 73 (28.2%) had an attempt to retrieve the filters, 69 (94.5%) were successful and 4 (5.4%) failed to retrieve. The remaining 23 (8.9%) patients declined retrieval. Filters studied include Celect (38%), Bard (31.4%), Option (26.2%), Tulip (4.1%), and Recovery (0.2%). Bard was more commonly used as a retrievable filter (80.9%). Retrieval on the first attempt was 90.4% (n = 66) successful. Of the remaining seven filters, three were successfully retrieved on a second attempt, and four failed to retrieve due to filter tilt. The success rates of retrieval for Celect and Tulip were significantly lower than for Bard (p = 0.04 and 0.023, respectively).

Conclusion: Our study showed that a variety of IVC filters can be retrieved successfully with minimal complication rates. In more than half of our patients, IVC filters were used as permanent. Failure of retrieval was most frequently due to filter tilting.

Keywords: IVC filter prophylaxis; Retrievable IVC filters; deep vein thrombosis; permanent filters; retrieval rate; trauma.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Device Removal
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ohio
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Prosthesis Implantation / adverse effects
  • Prosthesis Implantation / instrumentation*
  • Prosthesis Implantation / mortality
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology
  • Pulmonary Embolism / mortality
  • Pulmonary Embolism / prevention & control*
  • Registries
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vena Cava Filters* / adverse effects
  • Vena Cava, Inferior*
  • Venous Thrombosis / complications
  • Venous Thrombosis / diagnosis
  • Venous Thrombosis / mortality
  • Venous Thrombosis / therapy*
  • Young Adult