Excimer Laser Assisted IVC Filter Retrieval
Excimer Laser Assisted IVC Filter Retrieval
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.
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.
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.