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Long-term follow-up of the antheor inferior vena cava filter
S R Harries1, I P Wells, C A Roobottom
1Imaging Directorate, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK.
Insights
The Antheor inferior vena cava (IVC) filter showed significant long-term complications, including migration and fracture. Due to these safety concerns, the IVC filter has been withdrawn from clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Medical device safety
- Vascular surgery
Background:
- Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are used to prevent pulmonary embolism.
- The Antheor IVC filter was one such device used clinically.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the first long-term follow-up of the Antheor IVC filter.
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Antheor IVC filter in clinical use.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study of 20 patients who received the Antheor IVC filter between 1994 and 1996.
- Long-term follow-up was conducted on surviving patients.
Main Results:
- One filter migrated to the pulmonary artery, causing death.
- Three of 11 assessed filters showed fracture.
- One filter had associated thrombus, and one IVC was occluded.
Conclusions:
- The Antheor IVC filter is associated with a high incidence of central migration and filter fracture.
- These findings led to the withdrawal of the Antheor IVC filter from clinical use.
Abstract:
The first long-term follow-up of the use of the Antheor inferior vena cava (IVC) filter is presented. Between December 1994 and December 1996, 20 Antheor IVC filters were inserted. Seven patients subsequently died and of the 13 patients remaining alive, 11 were available for long-term follow-up. One death was due to migration of the filter to the main pulmonary artery 6 weeks after insertion and because of this case, and other similar reports, the filter has now been withdrawn from clinical use. Of the 11 filters assessed at follow-up, three were fractured. One filter contained thrombus and one IVC was occluded. Our experience highlights the problem of central migration, but also shows a high incidence of filter fracture which has not previously been described with this design of filter.