title: Retrievable Inferior Vena Cava Filters: Indications, Indwelling Time, Removal, Success and Complication Rates.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Various vena cava filters (VCF) are designed with the ability to be retrieved percutaneously. Yet, despite this option most of them remain in the inferior vena cava (IVC).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report our experience in the placement and retrieval of three different types of VCFs, and to compare the indications for their insertion and retrieval as reported in the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  During a 5 year period three types of retrievable VCF (ALN, OptEase, and Celect) were inserted in 306 patients at the Rabin Medical Center (Beilinson and Hasharon hospitals). Indications, retrieval rates, median time to retrieval, success and complication rates were viewed and assessed in the three groups of filter types and were compared with the data of similar studies in the literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 306 VCFs inserted, 31 (10.1%) were retrieved with equal distribution in the three groups. In most patients the reason for filter insertion was venous thromboembolic events (VTE) and contraindications to anticoagulant therapy. Mean age was 68.38 ± 17.5 years (range 18-99) and was noted to be significantly higher compared to similar studies (53-56 years) (P < 0.0001). Multi-trauma patients were significantly older (71.11 ± 14.99 years) than post-pulmonary embolism patients (48.03 ± 20.98 years, P < 0.0001) and patients with preventive indication (26.00 ± 11.31, P < 0.0001). The mean indwelling time was 100.6 ± 103.399 days. Our results are comparable with the results of other studies, and there was no difference in percentage of retrieval or complications between patients in each of the three groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In 1 of 10 patients filters should be removed after an average of 3.5 months. All three IVC filter types used are safe to insert and retrieve.
authors.forename: Alisher
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tashbayev
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Belenky
authors.forename: Sergey
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Litvin
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Knizhnik
authors.forename: Gil N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Bachar
authors.forename: Eli
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Atar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020878:Device Removal; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016306:Vena Cava Filters / Q000009:adverse effects; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000601:surgery*; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult