Study Supports Retrievability of Bard G2 IVC Filter

July 29, 2009—In the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Hearns W. Charles, MD, et al published findings from a study that was conducted to assess the retrievability of the G2 inferior vena cava (IVC) filter (Bard Peripheral Vascular, Tempe, AZ) and factors influencing the safety and technical success of retrieval (2009;20:1046–1051).

In the study, G2 IVC filters were placed in 140 consecutive patients who needed prophylaxis against pulmonary embolism (PE). General indications for filter placement included history of thromboembolic disease (n = 98) and high risk for PE (n = 42). Specific indications included contraindication to anticoagulation (n = 120), prophylaxis in addition to anticoagulation (n = 16), and failure of anticoagulation (n = 4). Filter indwell time, technical success of filter retrieval, and complications related to placement or retrieval were retrospectively evaluated in patients who underwent filter removal.

The investigators reported that among the 140 patients who had a G2 IVC filter placed, 27 attempts at filter retrieval were made in 26 patients (1 patient had placement and retrieval of 2 G2 filters over the course of the study). All 26 patients had successful filter retrievals, resulting in a technical success rate of 100%. The mean indwell time was 122 days (range, 11–260 days).

These findings demonstrated that there is a high technical success rate associated with the retrieval of the G2 filter that does not appear to be limited by filter tilting. In addition, there appears to be a very low complication rate. In the short term, the it appears that the G2 filter appears to beis associated with a low rate of thrombosis, a low rate of symptomatic PE, a high technical success rate for retrieval, and a good retrieval safety profile, the investigators concluded.Ên