Optease Vena Cava Filter Optimal Indwelling Time and Retrievability

The purpose of this study was to assess the indwelling time and retrievability of the Optease IVC filter. Between 2002 and 2009, a total of 811 Optease filters were inserted: 382 for prophylaxis in multitrauma patients and 429 for patients with venous thromboembolic (VTE) disease. In 139 patients [97 men and 42 women; mean age, 36 (range, 17–82) years], filter retrieval was attempted. They were divided into two groups to compare change in retrieval policy during the years: group A, 60 patients with filter retrievals performed before December 31 2006; and group B, 79 patients with filter retrievals from January 2007 to October 2009. A total of 128 filters were successfully removed (57 in group A, and 71 in group B). The mean filter indwelling time in the study group was 25 (range, 3–122) days. In group A the mean indwelling time was 18 (range, 7–55) days and in group B 31 days (range, 8–122). There were 11 retrieval failures: 4 for inability to engage the filter hook and 7 for inability to sheathe the filter due to intimal overgrowth. The mean indwelling time of group A retrieval failures was 16 (range, 15–18) days and in group B 54 (range, 17–122) days. Mean fluoroscopy time for successful retrieval was 3.5 (range, 1–16.6) min and for retrieval failures 25.2 (range, 7.2–62) min. Attempts to retrieve the Optease filter can be performed up to 60 days, but more failures will be encountered with this approach.