Long-term retrieval success rate profile for the Günther Tulip vena cava filter.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the likelihood of successful retrieval of the Günther Tulip vena cava filter after various implant durations (up to 494 days).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrievable Günther Tulip filters were placed in 554 patients. All patients satisfied requirements for filter placement; the primary indication for placement was specified for 394 patients (71%), as follows: unspecified trauma (n = 164), bariatric procedures (n = 128), orthopedic procedures (n = 36), and other (n = 66). Filter tilt and vena cava injury were assessed at implantation. Filters were not repositioned after placement. At retrieval, filter orientation, vena cava injury, other device-related incidents, and the degree of difficulty associated with retrieval were reported.

RESULTS: Filter retrieval was attempted in 275 patients and successful in 248 (90.2%). The mean filter indwell time was 58.9 days (range, 3-494 days). Unsuccessful retrievals (n = 27) were attributed primarily to improper hook orientation (n = 10) or excessive tissue in-growth at the filter legs (n = 16). Of the remaining 279 patients, 223 withdrew from the study, 41 were associated with a decision to keep the filter as a permanent device, 13 died for reasons unrelated to the study, and two had no reported endpoint data. A Kaplan-Meier product-limit survival estimate revealed that the probability of successful device retrieval remained greater than 94% at 12 weeks and greater than 67% at 26 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to the body of clinical data related to retrievable filters, demonstrating reliable retrieval rates at 12 weeks, with successful retrievals up to 17 months after implantation.