The initial experience of transjugular retrieval of Geunther Tulip inferior vena cava filters

Objective: To explore the indications and technical procedures of transjugular retrieval of Geunther Tulip inferior vena cava filters. Methods: Seventy-four patients (40 males and 34 females with a mean age of 45.8 years) with acute lower extremity deep venous thrombosis encountered in our hospital from September 2007 to Mar 2009 were involved in this study. The onset of the disease was from one day to 14 days. Clinical symptoms included swelling, pain, cyanosis or pallescence of the affected limb with higher or normal skin temperature. Thirty-one patients who complicated with pulmonary embolism suffered from dyspnoea, chest pain, hemoptysis, etc. Implantation of Geunther Tulip retrievable inferior vena cava filters through femoral or right internal jugular vein was carried out, which was followed by intravenous transcatheter thrombolysis. Vascular ultrasound and angiography showed no fresh or free thrombus in 12-80 days after initial treatment, then the Geunther Tulip filter was taken out from right internal jugular vein, and inferior vena cavography was performed again. All patients accepted anticoagulation and antibiotic treatment for 3-5 days after operation. A follow-up lasting for 4-12 months was made. Results: Successful implantation of Geunther Tulip retrievable inferior vena cava filter with only one session was obtained in all 74 patients. During implantation procedure one filter became tilted 25 degrees. Successful removal of Geunther Tulip retrievable inferior vena cava filter was achieved in 40 patients in 41.3 days (12-80 days) after the filter was delivered, and the procedure cost only 5.8 minutes (1-115 minutes) with a successful rate of 97.6% (40/41). Failure of retrieval of IVC filter due to compact adhesion of the filter to IVC wall happened in one patient. Inferior vena cavography again confirmed that there was no any sign of vascular perforation or rupture. Retrieval of IVC filter was not performed in other 33 patients and no clinical manifestations of pulmonary embolism or inferior vena cava occlusion emerged during follow-up period. Conclusion: For the treatment of acute lower extremity deep venous thrombosis, interventional transjugular retrieval of Geunther Tulip IVC Filters has some advantages, including retrievable time, i.e. a long time window for thrombolysis therapy, high successful rate of retrieval and satisfactory clinical efficacy. (authors)