G2 inferior vena cava filter: retrievability and safety.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the retrievability of the G2 inferior vena cava (IVC) filter and factors influencing the safety and technical success of retrieval.


METHODS
From October 2006 through June 2008, G2 IVC filters were placed in 140 consecutive patients who needed prophylaxis against pulmonary embolism (PE). General indications for filter placement included history of thromboembolic disease (n = 98) and high risk for PE (n = 42); specific indications included contraindication to anticoagulation (n = 120), prophylaxis in addition to anticoagulation (n = 16), and failure of anticoagulation (n = 4). Filter dwell time, technical success of filter retrieval, and complications related to placement or retrieval were retrospectively evaluated in patients who underwent filter removal.


RESULTS
Twenty-seven attempts at G2 filter removal were made in 26 patients (12 men; age range, 24-88 years; mean age, 55.4 y) after a mean period of 122 days (range, 11-260 d). Data were collected retrospectively with institutional review board approval. Filter removal was successful in all 27 attempts (100%). Tilting of the filter (> or =15 degrees ) occurred in five cases (18.5%), with probable filter incorporation into the right lateral wall of the IVC in one. Other complications of retrieval such as filter thrombosis, significant filter migration, filter fracture, and caval occlusion were not observed.


CONCLUSIONS
G2 IVC filter retrieval has a high technical success rate and a low complication rate. Technical success appears to be unaffected by the dwell time within the reported range.
Charles
Hearns W
HW
Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Tisch Hospital, New York University Langone Medical Center, 560 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA. hearns.charles@nyumc.org
Black
Michelle
M
Kovacs
Sandor
S
Gohari
Arash
A
Arampulikan
Joseph
J
McCann
Jeffrey W
JW
Clark
Timothy W I
TW
Bashar
Mona
M
Steiger
David
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020878:Device Removal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016306:Vena Cava Filters / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult