Improving Inferior Vena Cava Filter Retrieval and Success Rates Using an Office Endovascular Center.

Background: The Food and Drug Administration recommends that retrievable inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) be removed 29-54 days postinsertion. Nationally, the retrieval rate is around 23-25%. The objectives of this study are to assess the effect of a plan for IVCF retrieval and access to an office endovascular center (OEC) on filter removal rates and to assess the safety of the procedure in an OEC.
Methods: In this institutional review board-exempt retrospective study, the medical records of all patients who had an IVCF placed or removed in the hospital and OEC setting by one group of vascular surgeons between January 2011 and February 2017 were analyzed. Informed consent was not required for this retrospective chart review. The following data were abstracted: filter model, procedure site, retrieval plan, number of removal attempts, complications attributed to removal, success of removal, and the duration that the filter was in place. Anticoagulation was not discontinued before filter retrieval. Filters were removed under local anesthesia with or without mild conscious sedation.
Results: IVCF removal was attempted in all eligible patients, 120 of 191 with IVCFs, whereas 71 patients were lost to follow-up (46), died (19), or the indication changed (6). Of the patients who had filters placed in the hospital (n = 161), 62% were removed (n = 101), of which 86% had a removal attempt in the OEC, whereas 14% had the filter removed in the hospital. Sixty-three percent of patients who had filters placed in the OEC (n = 30) had the filter removed in the OEC (n = 19). All patients with a newly placed filter were given an office appointment with a vascular surgeon for evaluation and removal planning. Of patients who had their filter removed at the OEC, all were removed via the jugular approach, resulting in 103 of 106 (97%) successful removals in the OEC. Visipaque (GE Healthcare, Chicago, IL) contrast was used during filter removal. Intravascular ultrasound was not used because the study predates the insurance coverage of this technology in the office laboratory. There was no mortality related to filter removal. In addition, there were no bleeding complications, despite patients remaining on anticoagulant therapy during the removal. In 4% of patients, the filter was removed in less than 3 weeks, 30% of patients between 3 and 6 weeks, 26% of patients between 6 weeks and 3 months, and 40% of patients after 3 months.
Conclusions: Having access to both an OEC and a documented retrieval plan increases the frequency of IVCF removal in a community compared with national rates. Retrievable filters can be safely removed in an OEC with extremely high success and safety. Anticoagulation therapy can be continued during retrieval attempt without increased risk of bleeding.
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