Seamus Looby, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Mark F, Given MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Tony Geoghegan MBBCh, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Aoife McErlean, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Michael James Lee MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate GT IVC filters with regard to indication, placement, efficacy, complications and retrieval interval.

A retrospective study of 147 patients who underwent GT IVC filter placement between 2001 and 2005 was performed. Indications for placement included a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism or deep venous thrombosis with a contraindication to anticoagulation (n=68), pulmonary embolism or deep venous thrombosis while on anticoagulation (n=49), prophylactic filter placement for high risk surgical patients with a past history of pulmonary embolism or deep venous thrombosis (n=20) and patients with a high risk of pulmonary embolism or deep venous thrombosis (n=10).

There was successful filter placement in 147 cases(100%). Filter placement was via the right internal jugular vein in 68 cases (46.2%), the right common femoral vein in 68 cases (46.2%), the left common femoral vein in 10 cases (6.8%) and the left internal jugular vein in 1 case (0.68%). Of the 147 filter deployments, 102 patients received the filter on a permanent basis and 45 patients received the filter on a temporary basis with the intention of retrieval. There were 36 successful retrievals and 9 failed retrievals. The mean time to retrieval was 33.6 days. The reasons for failed retrieval included technical difficulty in snaring the retrieval hook and adherence of the filter struts to the wall of the IVC. Complications included pneumothorax (n=4), failure of filter expansion (n=1), IVC perforation (n=1) and breakthrough pulmonary embolism (n=1). Forty nine of the 145 patients did not receive anticoagulation (33.7%) and 96 of the 145 patients did with 82 receiving warfarin (56.5%), 11 receiving low molecular weight heparins (7.58%) and 3 receiving anti platelet agents alone (2.06%). No IVC thrombotic episodes were recorded.

GT IVC filters are efficacious and have a low complication rate. They can be safely removed even after the manufacturers recommended retrieval interval of 2 weeks.

GT IVC filters are efficacious in the prevention of pulmonary emboli and can be retrieved at up to 5 weeks with retrieval failure occurring due to filter struts adhering to the wall of the IVC.

Looby, S, Given, M, Geoghegan, T, McErlean, A, Lee, M, Clinical Experience with Gunther Tulip (GT) Retrievable Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) Filters: Indications, Efficacy, and Retrieval Interval.  Radiological Society of North America 2006 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 1, 2006 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2006/4438075.html