Retrospective review of 143 celect IVC filter retrievals: experience at a single institution

Purpose To retrospectively evaluate the safety and retrievability of the Celect IVC filter. Materials and Methods All patients undergoing Celect filter placement and retrieval between 2007 and 2012 were assessed for complications and retrievability. Results Of 690 patients who had Celect filter placement, 143 presented for removal. The indwelling time in these patients was 176.2 ± 150.3 days (range, 2-1413 d). A total of 125 filters (87.4%) were removed; 18 filters were left in situ for the following reasons: filter embedment (7), caval occlusion (3), retained thrombus (3), large floating thrombus in IVC (4), or tilt > 15° (1). With filters in place, 6 patients developed new pulmonary embolism and 2 others presented with severe abdominal pain. The available 135 pairs of placement and removal cavagrams suggested limb penetration in 112 cases (86.1%); intracaval migration > 2 cm in 5; secondary tilt > 15° in 8; filter deformity in 10; retained thrombus within filters in 13; and IVC occlusion in 3. Among 52 available CT scans, 11 cases (21%) demonstrated asymptomatic limb penetration to the duodenum (6), aortic wall (3), kidney (1) and liver (1). No filter fracture was found. Conclusion This study showed a high penetration rate for Celect IVC filters, including penetrations that were symptomatic or involved adjacent structures. Penetration appears to correlate with indwelling time, suggesting that the filter should be removed as soon as PE protection is no longer indicated. Although most of the filters were removed, 5.6% of retrievals were unsuccessful because of technical failure.