Gone in 60 days: our first experience with a bioconvertible IVC filter

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Biomaterials Science
• Medical Device Technology

Background:

• Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are used to prevent pulmonary emboli.
• Retrievable filters have limitations including removal complications and non-removal rates.
• A bioconvertible IVC filter offers a temporary solution for patients at risk of pulmonary embolism.

Observation:

• The Sentry bioconvertible IVC filter utilizes a bioabsorbable filament that degrades within 60 days.
• Post-degradation, the filter arms retract, allowing for vessel wall endothelialization and an unobstructed IVC.
• The device was successfully deployed in an 85-year-old female patient with gastric malignancy and a history of pulmonary emboli.

Findings:

• The bioconvertible IVC filter provides protection against pulmonary emboli comparable to existing devices.
• Complication rates associated with the bioconvertible filter are minimal.
• The device serves as an effective alternative to retrievable filters.

Implications:

• Bioconvertible IVC filters represent an advancement in managing transient thromboembolic disease.
• This technology offers a safer alternative for patients with contraindications to anticoagulation.
• The development facilitates improved patient outcomes in vascular interventions.