title: Retrievable IVC filters - Friend or foe.
abstract: Venous thromboembolism is a common condition with widely varied outcomes. Pulmonary embolism is associated with a case-fatality rate of up to 8%, increasing up to 18-fold in massive PE. Pharmacological treatment of VTE with anticoagulant medication (AC) is the first line therapy of choice. Retrievable inferior vena cava filters (IVCF) are indicated as a short-term replacement for AC in certain circumstances. Most of the evidence concerning IVCF pertains to permanent filters and older filter models. Limited evidence for retrievable IVCF results in poor consensus regarding indications, follow-up and retrieval. Complications increase with dwell-time and retrieval success rates decline. Professional bodies advocate strict guideline adherence and robust strategies for filter monitoring to maximise retrieval rate.
authors: Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Royal College of Surgeons and Beaumont Hospital, Ireland.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Ryan
authors: Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Royal College of Surgeons and Beaumont Hospital, Ireland.
authors: H K
authors: HK
authors: Kok
authors: Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Royal College of Surgeons and Beaumont Hospital, Ireland. Electronic address: mlee@rcsi.ie.
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020878:Device Removal; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016306:Vena Cava Filters
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants
keywords: Inferior vena cava filters; Pulmonary embolism; Venous thromboembolism