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Early and Late Retrieval of the ALN Removable Vena Cava Filter: Results from a Multicenter Study

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Abstract

Retrieval of removable inferior vena cava (IVC) filters in selected patients is widely practiced. The purpose of this multicenter study was to evaluate the feasibility and results of percutaneous removal of the ALN removable filter in a large patient cohort. Between November 2003 and June 2006, 123 consecutive patients were referred for percutaneous extraction of the ALN filter at three centers. The ALN filter is a removable filter that can be implanted through a femoral/jugular vein approach and extracted by the jugular vein approach. Filter removal was attempted after an implantation period of 93 ± 15 days (range, 6–722 days) through the right internal jugular vein approach using the dedicated extraction kit after control inferior vena cavography. Following filter removal, vena cavograms were obtained in all patients. Successful extraction was achieved in all but one case. Among these successful retrievals, additional manipulation using a femoral approach was needed when the apex of the filter was close to the IVC wall in two patients. No immediate IVC complications were observed according to the postimplantation cavography. Neither technical nor clinical differences between early and late filter retrieval were noticed. Our data confirm the safety of ALN filter retrieval up to 722 days after implantation. In infrequent cases, additional endovenous filter manipulation is needed to facilitate extraction.

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Abbreviations

IVC:

Inferior vena cava

DVT:

Deep vein thrombosis

PE:

Pulmonary embolism

LMWH:

Low molecular weight heparin

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Acknowledgment

We thank John A. Kaufman, M.D., for reviewing the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiovascular Radiology Department, Georges Pompidou European Hospital, Université Paris 5 René Descartes, 20 rue Leblanc, Paris Cedex 15, 75908, France

    O. Pellerin

  2. Service de Radiologie Cardio-Vasculaire, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Université Paris 5 René Descartes, Paris, France

    O. Pellerin, L. Novelli & M. Sapoval

  3. Service de Neuroradiologie, CHU Bellevue, Saint Etienne, France

    F. G. Barral

  4. Service de Radiologie Cardio-Vasculaire, CHU Lille, Lille, France

    C. Lions & J. P. Beregi

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  1. O. Pellerin
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  2. F. G. Barral
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  3. C. Lions
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  4. L. Novelli
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  5. J. P. Beregi
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Correspondence to O. Pellerin.

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Pellerin, O., Barral, F.G., Lions, C. et al. Early and Late Retrieval of the ALN Removable Vena Cava Filter: Results from a Multicenter Study. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 31, 889–896 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-008-9357-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-008-9357-x

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