Outcomes of inferior vena cava filtration in lung transplant recipients

To evaluate the safety, retrieval outcomes, and procedural characteristics of retrievable inferior vena cava (IVC) filters placed in lung transplant recipients with venous thromboembolism.

This retrospective single-center study included adult lung transplant recipients who underwent retrievable IVC filter placement between January 2021 and April 2025. Collected variables included patient demographics, indication for filter placement, filter type and position, anticoagulation status, retrieval technique, dwell time, fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, complications, and survival. Retrieval probability over time was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Ninety-five lung transplant recipients (44 men, 51 women; mean age, 60.3 years) underwent retrievable IVC filter placement. Indications included deep vein thrombosis alone in 74 patients (77.9%), combined deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in 20 (21.1%), and isolated pulmonary embolism in one (1.1%). Filters included Option Elite (n = 93) and Celect (n = 2), with infrarenal placement in 89 patients (93.7%). Sixty-three filters (66.3%) were retrieved after a median dwell time of 7.7 months (interquartile range, 4-10). Retrieval techniques included snare (n = 53) and forceps-assisted (n = 10) with 100% technical success. Mean fluoroscopy time was 8.4 ± 6.5 min, and mean radiation dose was 234.3 ± 200.7 mGy. One filter-related complication (1.1%) occurred, consisting of filter migration into the right renal vein, which was successfully removed without injury; no filter-related deaths were observed.

In this single-center retrospective cohort, retrievable IVC filters were managed in lung transplant recipients with a low complication rate and a majority undergoing retrieval during follow-up.