TY - JOUR
T1 - A quality improvement project to improve inferior vena cava filter retrieval
AU - Simon, Todd E.
AU - Walker, Patrick F.
AU - Daab, Leo J.
AU - White, Joseph M.
AU - White, Paul W.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2016
PY - 2017/1/1
Y1 - 2017/1/1
N2 - Objective Poor retrieval rates for retrievable inferior vena cava filters (R-IVCFs) have been reported throughout the literature, with poor follow-up a common cause. In 2009, we reported a retrieval rate of 18% despite an initial follow-up rate of 85%. Use of a registry has been shown to improve retrieval rates. As a quality improvement project, in May 2012, the vascular surgery fellowship implemented a reiterative registry to track R-IVCFs placed at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to improve retrieval rates. We report the results in 125 patients after 38 months. Methods Patients receiving an R-IVCF were entered into a registry. All patients were reviewed monthly using an electronic health record. When there was no longer an indication for the R-IVCF, the patient was scheduled for an outpatient appointment with a vascular surgeon followed by retrieval. Rates of retrieval, technical success, dwell time, indication, complications, and demographics were collected. Results There were 125 R-IVCFs placed between May 2012 and June 2015; 52 filters were placed for therapeutic and 73 for prophylactic indications. Our follow-up rate improved to 94%. A total of 79 filters were retrieved (63% absolute retrieval rate). Excluding patients who died before retrieval and patients with a permanent indication, 77% of filters were retrieved. The average dwell time was 101.5 days (7-460 days), and 63% of successful R-IVCF retrievals were within 3 months of placement. Technical success for retrieval was 92%. There were two major complications from retrievals (1.5% of retrievals). Conclusions The creation of an R-IVCF registry promoted ongoing follow-up with patients. In our earlier experience, retrieval rates were poor despite a high follow-up rate. The use of a reiterative registry improved our retrieval rate by 45% and increased our follow-up rate to 94%. These results emphasize the importance of repetitive follow-up for R-IVCFs. Despite a follow-up rate >90%, around a third of R-IVCFs were not retrieved.
AB - Objective Poor retrieval rates for retrievable inferior vena cava filters (R-IVCFs) have been reported throughout the literature, with poor follow-up a common cause. In 2009, we reported a retrieval rate of 18% despite an initial follow-up rate of 85%. Use of a registry has been shown to improve retrieval rates. As a quality improvement project, in May 2012, the vascular surgery fellowship implemented a reiterative registry to track R-IVCFs placed at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to improve retrieval rates. We report the results in 125 patients after 38 months. Methods Patients receiving an R-IVCF were entered into a registry. All patients were reviewed monthly using an electronic health record. When there was no longer an indication for the R-IVCF, the patient was scheduled for an outpatient appointment with a vascular surgeon followed by retrieval. Rates of retrieval, technical success, dwell time, indication, complications, and demographics were collected. Results There were 125 R-IVCFs placed between May 2012 and June 2015; 52 filters were placed for therapeutic and 73 for prophylactic indications. Our follow-up rate improved to 94%. A total of 79 filters were retrieved (63% absolute retrieval rate). Excluding patients who died before retrieval and patients with a permanent indication, 77% of filters were retrieved. The average dwell time was 101.5 days (7-460 days), and 63% of successful R-IVCF retrievals were within 3 months of placement. Technical success for retrieval was 92%. There were two major complications from retrievals (1.5% of retrievals). Conclusions The creation of an R-IVCF registry promoted ongoing follow-up with patients. In our earlier experience, retrieval rates were poor despite a high follow-up rate. The use of a reiterative registry improved our retrieval rate by 45% and increased our follow-up rate to 94%. These results emphasize the importance of repetitive follow-up for R-IVCFs. Despite a follow-up rate >90%, around a third of R-IVCFs were not retrieved.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85006165384&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jvsv.2016.09.004
DO - 10.1016/j.jvsv.2016.09.004
M3 - Article
C2 - 27987608
AN - SCOPUS:85006165384
SN - 2213-333X
VL - 5
SP - 42
EP - 46
JO - Journal of Vascular Surgery: Venous and Lymphatic Disorders
JF - Journal of Vascular Surgery: Venous and Lymphatic Disorders
IS - 1
ER -