Retrievable vena cava filters

Figure 4. Retrievable vena cava filters (left to right) Gunther tulip filter (Cook), Gunther tulip filter (Cook), Recovery filter (Bard), OptEase filter (Cordis Endovascular)...

H Lorch et al., Efficacy ofpermanent and retrievable vena cava filters Experimental studies and evaluation of a new device , Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol, 2002 25,193-199. 

D Imberti, Retrievable vena cava filters a review , Current Opinion in Hematology, 200613,351-356. 

Retrievable vena cava filters (a, b) GuntherTulip filter (Cook Medical), (c) Recovery filter (Bard), (d) Optease filter (Cordis Corporation). 

D. Imberti. Retrievable vena cava filters A review. Curr Opin Hematol. 2006 13 351-356. 

Abstract Implantation of a permanent or retrievable filter in the inferior vena cava (IVC) is becoming an increasingly popular option for patients at risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).This chapter discusses the size and shaping parameters for IVC filters, and considers materials that are suitable. Complications and adverse incidents are also reviewed.The chapter concludes with specifications for an ideal IVC filter and a look at a recent new design that has recently completed clinical trials. 

Key words inferior vena cava (IVC), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, retrievable filter, permanent filter, clot trapping, self-centering, migration. 

The simplicity of the design ensures that once deployed, it is self-centering. And as long as the selection of the size deployed is greater than the diameter of the vena cava, then the likelihood of migration is minimized by the incorporation of small tissue anchors. In addition to having radio-opaque features that ensure it can be readily visualized by radiography, the device contains retrieval hooks on both sides to facilitate ease of retrieval when used as a retrievable filter." It has completed animal trials with deployment and retrieval over periods of 1-10 weeks in vivo. In addition, it has also completed human clinical trials, and has obtained FDA approval for manufacture and distribution in the United States. 

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