Initial Australian experience with the recovery inferior vena cava filter in patients with increased risk of thromboembolic disease.

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are an alternative treatment in venous thromboembolism where there are contraindications to anticoagulation. There are, however, concerns about the long-term safety of permanent IVC filters. Often, the period of risk from anticoagulation therapy is short, which supports the use of non-permanent IVC filters. In this series, 54 Recovery Filters (Bard, Tempe, AZ, USA) were placed since its approval for use in Australia in March 2004 (approved for removal up to 160 days after insertion). The most common indication for filter placement in this series was established thromboembolic disease with a temporary contraindication to anticoagulation. Twenty-two filters were successfully retrieved without complication. In one case, it was not possible to retrieve the filter because of extensive contained thrombus. No complication was experienced at filter placement or retrieval; however, a fatal complication occurred as a result of filter migration. Mean time from placement to retrieval was 48 days (range 7-90 days). We describe methods we found useful at filter retrieval to overcome filter tilting.