The CIRSE Retrievable IVC Filter Registry: Retrieval Success Rates in Practice

Area of Science:

• Interventional Radiology
• Vascular Surgery
• Medical Device Registry

Background:

• Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are used to prevent pulmonary embolism.
• Retrievable IVC filters offer a temporary solution, but their retrieval rates and associated complications require evaluation.
• The Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE) established a registry to assess IVC filter retrieval outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the success rate of retrievable IVC filter retrieval.
• To identify complications associated with IVC filter retrieval.
• To analyze factors influencing retrieval success, including dwell time and indications for filter placement.

Main Methods:

• A web-based electronic registry collected data on IVC filter retrievals between December 2010 and June 2012.
• Data included filter type, indication, access route, dwell time, retrieval success, complications, and anticoagulation status.
• Analysis included 628 IVC filter retrievals.

Main Results:

• The overall IVC filter retrieval rate was 92% (576/628 patients).
• Mean dwell time for successful retrievals was 85 days, compared to 145 days for unsuccessful retrievals (p=0.001).
• Major complications occurred in only 2 patients (0.03%).

Conclusions:

• The CIRSE retrievable filter registry demonstrates a high IVC filter retrieval rate (92%) with a low major complication rate.
• There is an increasing trend in the use of retrievable IVC filters for relative and prophylactic indications.
• These findings reflect current clinical practice and support the safety and efficacy of retrievable IVC filters.