Invited Commentary.

Abstract

One of our strengths as a discipline has been our commitment to the long-term follow-up of patients on whom we have operated. There is no better example of this than the care provided to patients who have undergone aortic stent grafting, for which the limitations on follow-up are almost always the patient's compliance rather than the physician's engagement. However, we have come up short on the follow-up of the patients who have had inferior vena cava (IVC) filters placed, as proven by embarrassing low filter retrieval rates. This manuscript as well as many others 1 Winters J.P. Morris C.S. Holmes C.E. Lewis P. Bhave A.D. Najarian K.E. et al. A multidisciplinary quality improvement program increases the inferior vena cava filter retrieval rate. Vasc Med. 2017; 22: 51-56 Crossref PubMed Scopus (15) Google Scholar , 2 Davies R. Stanley J. Wickremesekera J. Khashram M. Retrieval rates of inferior vena cava (IVC) filters: are we retrieving enough?. N Z Med J. 2015; 128: 31-40 PubMed Google Scholar , 3 Sutphin P.D. Reis S.P. McKune A. Ravanzo M. Kalva S.P. Pillai A.K. Improving inferior vena cava filter retrieval rates with the define, measure, analyze, improve, control methodology. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2015; 26: 491-498 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (72) Google Scholar , 4 Charlton-Ouw K.M. Leake S.S. Sola C.N. Sandhu H.K. Albarado R. Holcomb J.B. et al. Technical and financial feasibility of an inferior vena cava filter retrieval program at a level one trauma center. Ann Vasc Surg. 2015; 29: 84-89 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (14) Google Scholar , 5 Lucas D.J. Dunne J.R. Rodriguez C.J. Curry K.M. Elster E. Vicente D. et al. Dedicated tracking of patients with retrievable inferior vena cava filters improves retrieval rates. Am Surg. 2012; 78: 870-874 Crossref PubMed Google Scholar , 6 Kalina M. Bartley M. Cipolle M. Tinkoff G. Stevenson S. Fulda G. Improved removal rates for retrievable inferior vena cava filters with the use of a 'filter registry'. Am Surg. 2012; 78: 94-97 PubMed Google Scholar , 7 Simon T.E. Walker P.F. Daab L.J. White J.M. White P.W. A quality improvement project to improve inferior vena cava filter retrieval. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord. 2017; 5: 42-46 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (7) Google Scholar , 8 Tao M.J. Montbriand J.M. Eisenberg N. Sniderman K.W. Roche-Nagle G. Temporary inferior vena cava filter indications, retrieval rates, and follow-up management at a multicenter tertiary care institution. J Vasc Surg. 2016; 64: 430-437 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (32) Google Scholar , 9 Inagaki E. Farber A. Eslami M.H. Siracuse J.J. Rybin D.V. Sarosiek S. et al. Improving the retrieval rate of inferior vena cava filters with a multidisciplinary team approach. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord. 2016; 4: 276-282 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (32) Google Scholar , 10 Kalish J. Sloan M. Sarosiek S. Marks H. Moreira C. Hamburg N. et al. Tracking breeds success: improved retrieval rates of inferior vena cava filters with minimal dedication of resources. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord. 2014; 2: 117 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Google Scholar demonstrates the fact that applying more energy to an administrative problem, the identification and follow-up of patients with removable IVC filters, provides better results in identifying those patients who are suitable candidates for filter removal. Impact of an inferior vena cava filter retrieval algorithm on filter retrieval rates in a cancer populationJournal of Vascular Surgery: Venous and Lymphatic DisordersVol. 5Issue 5PreviewOur primary purpose was to assess the impact of an inferior vena cava filter retrieval algorithm in a cancer population. Because cancer patients are at persistently elevated risk for development of venous thromboembolism (VTE), our secondary purpose was to assess the incidence of recurrent VTE in patients who underwent filter retrieval. Full-Text PDF