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. 2014 Dec;30(4):133-8.
doi: 10.5758/vsi.2014.30.4.133. Epub 2014 Dec 31.

Current Status of the Retrieval Rate of Retrievable Vena Cava Filters in a Tertiary Referral Center in Korea

Hyeongmin Park  1 , Ahram Han  1 , Chanjoong Choi  1 , Sang-Il Min  1 , Jongwon Ha  1 , In Mok Jung  1 , Taeseung Lee  1 , Hyo-Cheol Kim  2 , Hwan Joon Jae  2 , Seung-Kee Min  1
Affiliations

Current Status of the Retrieval Rate of Retrievable Vena Cava Filters in a Tertiary Referral Center in Korea

Hyeongmin Park et al. Vasc Specialist Int. 2014 Dec.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to review the daily practice of inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) in a tertiary referral center in Korea and to reveal the retrieval rate and the methods for improving it.

Materials and methods: Through the electronic medical record system, a retrospective review was performed on 115 consecutive patients who underwent placement of retrievable IVCFs between February 2000 and January 2011 in Seoul National University Hospital.

Results: IVCF placement was done in 115 cases (113 patients). There were 68 men (59.1%), and the mean age was 58.5±15.5 years (range, 10-96 years). The affiliated departments were Vascular Surgery (57 cases, 49.6%), and Internal Medicine (20 cases, 17.4%). Advanced malignancy was the most commonly associated disease (n=30, 26%). The indications for IVCF placement were categorized; absolute indications in 36 cases (31.3%), relative indications in 78 cases (67.8%), and prophylactic use in 1 case (0.9%). The most common indications were thrombolysis/thrombectomy for iliocaval deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (n=55, 47.8). Of the 115 filters, 68 were retrieved (retrieval rate, 59%). The most common cause of non-retrieval was chronic high risk of venous thromboembolism in 24 patients (51%), followed by residual proximal DVT (n=7, 15%), and negligence by unknown reasons (n=6, 13%).

Conclusion: To improve the retrieval rate, the number of follow-up losses to vascular specialists must be decreased, which can be achieved by establishment of a dedicated IVC filter clinic, implementation of a filter registry, and regular education for medical teams and patients along with their families.

Keywords: Pulmonary embolism; Vena cava filters; Venous thromboembolism; Venous thrombosis.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Two Optease filters in the infrarenal and suprarenal inferior vena cava. After thrombolysis, the suprarenal vena cava was patent, but the infra-renal vena cava had remaining thrombus with stenosis near the infrarenal filter. Only the suprarenal filter was retrieved. (A) Simple X-ray, (B) venography.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Filter penetration. One leg of the filter was observed outside the vena cava wall at different angles. The filter was retrieved with a meticulous technique without complications.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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