title: Radiology-led follow-up system for IVC filters: effects on retrieval rates and times.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Successful IVC filter retrieval rates fall with time. Serious complications have been reported following attempts to remove filters after 3-18 months. Failed retrieval may be associated with adverse clinical sequelae. This study explored whether retrieval rates are improved if interventional radiologists organize patient follow-up, rather than relying on the referring clinicians.
  
  
  METHODS
  Proactive follow-up of patients who undergo filter placement was implemented in May 2008. At the time of filter placement, a report was issued to the referring consultant notifying them of the advised timeframe for filter retrieval. Clinicians were contacted to arrange retrieval within 30 days. We compared this with our practice for the preceding year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The numbers of filters inserted during the two time periods was similar, as were the numbers of retrieval attempts and the time scale at which they occurred. The rate of successful retrievals increased but not significantly. The major changes were better documentation of filter types and better clinical follow-up. After the change in practice, only one patient was lost to follow-up compared with six the preceding year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although there was no significant improvement in retrieval rates, the proactive, radiology-led approach improved follow-up and documentation, ensuring that a clinical decision was made about how long the filter was required and whether retrieval should be attempted and ensuring that patients were not lost to follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, St George's Hospital NHS Trust, Blackshaw Road, London SW17 0QT, UK.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Munneke
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: A-M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Belli
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants; D000075202:Contraindications; D020878:Device Removal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012107:Research Design / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016306:Vena Cava Filters; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants