title: G2 inferior vena cava filter: retrievability and safety.
abstract: 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.
authors: 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
authors: Hearns W
authors: HW
authors: Charles
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: Black
authors: Sandor
authors: S
authors: Kovacs
authors: Arash
authors: A
authors: Gohari
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Arampulikan
authors: Jeffrey W
authors: JW
authors: McCann
authors: Timothy W I
authors: TW
authors: Clark
authors: Mona
authors: M
authors: Bashar
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Steiger
mesh_terms: 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