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IVC filter retrieval rate high with minimal complications
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Results from a single-center study suggest that a range of inferior vena cava filters can be successfully retrieved with minimal complications.
Of the retrieval failures that did occur, filter tilting was the most common cause, the researchers wrote.
Anas Renno, MD, and colleagues from the University of Toledo Medical Center in Ohio, retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 258 patients who underwent retrievable inferior vena cava (IVC) filter insertions between July 2007 and August 2011. They evaluated data on patient age, sex, indication and complications, along with retrieval rate and brand of filter used.
At insertion, 37.2% of filters were placed as permanent, whereas 15.5% were converted to permanent. The mortality rate was 10%, and 37.2% of the surviving patients presented for potential IVC filter removal. Researchers attempted to retrieve the filters in 28.2% with a 94.5% procedural success rate.
The IVC filters studied included Celect (38%, Cook Medical), Bard (31.4%, Bard Peripheral Vascular), Option (26.2%, Rex Medical), Tulip (4.1%, Cook Medical) and Recovery (0.2%, Bard Peripheral Vascular), with Bard being the most common retrievable filter (80.9%).
The rate of retrieval on the first attempt was 90.4%; of the seven remaining filters, three were successfully retrieved on a second attempt and four were not retrieved due to filter tilt. Compared with Bard, the retrieval success rates for Celect (P = .04) and Tulip (P = .023) were lower.
“Our results suggest that more retrievable filters are kept as permanent filters rather than temporary filters and are proof that such filters should function as safe, permanent filters,” Renno and colleagues wrote. “In our experience, retrieval success was 94.5%, once we managed to convince patients to accept retrieval. We suggest that both a strict tracking system and an aggressive retrieval policy are essential to achieve a high rate of retrieval.” – by Brian Ellis
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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