Device for retrieval of vena cava filter with combination of a multi-loop snare and Amplatz catheter

Abstract

A 25-year-old woman diagnosed as having a non-massive pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis from the right superficial femoral to the right common iliac vein was treated by deployment of a DENALI ® Vena Cava Filter. Filter retrieval was attempted 6 months later using a BARD snare retrieval kit. However, the conventional technique was unsuccessful because of a tilt and attachment of the filter head to the vessel wall. Hence, we passed an EN Snare Endovascular Snare System through an Amplatz Left 1 guiding catheter to successfully penetrate the attached portion of the filter hook and vessel wall. This combination provided controlled direction and a strong backup force that helped capture and retrieve the filter. This technique could be an alternative method to retrieve inferior vena cava filter with severe tilt and tight attachment to the vena cava wall when the conventional technique is unsuccessful.