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Guide-wire entrapment by inferior vena caval filters: in vitro evaluation
J A Kaufman1, J W Thomas, S C Geller
1Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114, USA.
Purpose:
To study guide-wire engagement and entrapment by inferior vena caval (IVC) filters.
Materials And Methods:
Patterns of engagement were determined in six IVC filters with four commonly used guide wires in a simulated IVC. Force required to disengage guide wires from filters was measured.
Results:
Eleven engagement patterns were identified with J-tipped guide wires; straight guide wires never engaged. The Simon-Nitinol filter engaged guide wires with the highest frequency (P < .05). The 15-J wire was engaged most frequently overall (P < .0005) but disengaged with forces not significantly different (P > .05) from those required to open the J. Entrapment occurred with only the Vena-Tech (VT) and 12-F stainless steel Greenfield (12SSG) filters and the 1.5-J and 3-J guide wires. The former guide wire became entrapped regardless of engagement pattern; the latter became entrapped only when engaged in the hole in the apex of the 12SSG and VT filters.
Conclusion:
Guide wires with a J tip 3 mm or less in radius are at risk for entrapment by the 12SSG and VT filters.