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Retrievable Inferior Vena Cava Filters: Factors that Affect Retrieval Success

CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology volume 35, pages 1059–1065 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

To report and analyze the indications, procedural success, and complications of retrievable inferior vena cava filters (rIVCF) placement and to identify parameters that influence retrieval attempt and failure.

Methods

Between January 2005 and December 2010, a total of 200 patients (80 men, median age 67 years, range 11–95 years) received a rIVCF with the clinical possibility that it could be removed. All patients with rIVCF were prospectively entered into a database and followed until retrieval or a decision not to retrieve the filter was made. A retrospective analysis of this database was performed.

Results

Sixty-one percent of patients had an accepted indication for filter placement; 39% of patients had a relative indication. There was a tendency toward a higher retrieval rate in patients with relative indications (40% vs. 55%, P = 0.076). Filter placement was technically successful in all patients, with no procedure-related mortality. The retrieval rate was 53%. Patient age of >80 years (odds ratio [OR] 0.056, P > 0.0001) and presence of malignancy (OR 0.303, P = 0.003) was associated with a significantly reduced probability for attempted retrieval. Retrieval failure occurred in 7% (6 of 91) of all retrieval attempts. A time interval of > 90 days between implantation and attempted retrieval was associated with retrieval failure (OR 19.8, P = 0.009).

Conclusions

Patient age >80 years and a history of malignancy are predictors of a reduced probability for retrieval attempt. The rate of retrieval failure is low and seems to be associated with a time interval of >90 days between filter placement and retrieval.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Bette Dawson, RN, for her dedication to the filter patient follow-up; Cindy Stephens, RN, for her support in data collection; and University Hospital Basel for an unrestricted research grant to H. U.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Baptist Cardiac and Vascular Institute, 8900 North Kendall Drive, Miami, FL, 33156, USA

    Philipp Geisbüsch, James F. Benenati, Constantino S. Peña, Joseph Couvillon, Alex Powell, Ripal Gandhi, Shaun Samuels & Heiko Uthoff

  2. Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Ruprecht-Karls University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 110, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    Philipp Geisbüsch

  3. Department of Angiology, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031, Basel, Switzerland

    Heiko Uthoff

Authors
  1. Philipp Geisbüsch
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  2. James F. Benenati
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  3. Constantino S. Peña
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  4. Joseph Couvillon
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  5. Alex Powell
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  6. Ripal Gandhi
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  7. Shaun Samuels
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Correspondence to Philipp Geisbüsch.

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Geisbüsch, P., Benenati, J.F., Peña, C.S. et al. Retrievable Inferior Vena Cava Filters: Factors that Affect Retrieval Success. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 35, 1059–1065 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-011-0268-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-011-0268-x

Keywords

  • Inferior vena cava
  • IVC
  • Retrievable filter
  • Retrieval failure
  • Vena cava filter