Abstract 19396: Role and Factors Associated with Removal of Retrievable Inferior Vena Cava Filter in Venous Thromboembolism

It has been recommended that implanting physicians and clinicians responsible for the ongoing care of patients with retrievable inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) consider removing the filter as soon as protection from pulmonary embolism (PE) is no longer needed. To investigate factors associated with IVCF retrieval, we studied 228 consecutive patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) in whom retrievable IVCFs were placed to prevent massive PE. The mean age of the patients was 66 years (range, 17-96 years), and 118 (52%) of them were female. Of the 228 patients, 76 (33%) had PE. In addition to VTE, major underlying conditions were trauma (24%), malignancy (18%), central nervous system disturbance (18%), cranial hemorrhage (6%), gastrointestinal tract bleeding (12%), other hemorrhagic events (11%), patient non-compliance (9%), and inability to anticoagulant after surgery (4%). After IVCF placement, no PE events were recorded with the IVCF in place. Of the 228 patients 35 died of underlying diseases, in whom IVCF removals were not attempted due to the severity or the prognosis of underlying diseases. Of the other 193 patients, 64 non-surgical retrieval attempts (33%) were made. Retrieval attempts were increased after the retrieval recommendation by the Food and Drug Administration in 2010 (p