Excimer Laser Assisted IVC Filter Retrieval

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This is a prospective chart review to follow our laser-assisted IVC filter retrieval patients. We intend to validate existing literature and scientific findings by publishing our own clinical experience in difficult IVC filter retrievals.

Detailed Description
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At Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL USA, IVC filters are successfully removed >95%. Technical failures, although rare, are usually related to excessive endoluminal scarring at the point of IVC filter implantation. Adjunctive (or advanced) removal techniques are often employed in difficult cases. The excimer laser sheath has been successfully used at Northwestern for patients who had failed all other retrieval techniques. Before a patient is to undergo an IVC filter removal using the Excimer Laser Sheath they will be consented to participate in the chart review study and become a part of a registry kept at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The procedure itself is not being used as part of the study. Chart reviews will be completed and data collected on the procedure to remove the filter. Follow up after the procedure by phone call and chart review will be completed at least once, 1 week after the filter removal.

Official Title
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A Prospective Review of Excimer Laser Assisted Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) Filter Retrieval

Conditions
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IVC Filters

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Prospective Chart Review


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patients will be male and female aged 18 years to 100 years old who were treated with either permanent or retrievable IVC filter placement and were referred to the Interventional Radiology or Vascular Surgery departments for IVC filter retrieval starting December 1, 2011. Patients have failed all other traditional methods/attempts at removal of their IVC filter. Exclusion Criteria: Patients who refuse the use of the excimer laser device to attempt to remove their IVC filter.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 100 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Patients undergoing IVC filter removal using the excimer laser<br>Laser Assisted IVC Filter Removal | Other: Prospective Chart Review<br>* The laser assisted IVC filter removal procedure itself is not part of this study. This is a prospective chart review for patients undergoing this procedure.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Evaluate any adverse events related to laser assisted IVC filter removal | The number and severity of adverse events will be recorded to evaluate safety. This will be conducted as a phone call to the patient 1 week after IVC filter removal and then as a chart review only. | up to 1 year after Laser Assited IVC filter removal | 
| Effectiveness of Laser Assisted IVC filter removal | Success rate of removing IVC filters using the laser will be recorded. If a filter cannot be removed with the laser the reason for this failure will be recorded. | At time of IVC filter removal | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Inferior Vena Cava Filter, IVC Filter, IVC filter removal, Excimer Laser