Retrievable Vena Cava Filter

A new vena cava filter offers the option of being percutaneously retrieved or being permanently placed in the inferior vena cava of a patient. The filter has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Vena cava filters are used to help prevent recurrent pulmonary emboli that occur when blood clots break free from peripheral circulation and travel to the lung, blocking blood flow. Patients at chronic risk are usually treated with anticoagulant therapy. A subset of those patients are treated with vena cava filters. In addition to patients at chronic risk for pulmonary emboli, significant numbers of patients are at temporary risk for a pulmonary embolism and can benefit from protection by the new filter, called Optease.

The Optease vena cava filter was developed by Cordis Endovascular (Warren, NJ, USA). The self-centering design optimizes clot capture efficiency and centers the retrieval hook for easy, consistent filter retrieval. Cordis utilizes its 6 French delivery system, which has the lowest profile on the market, in the Optease filter, providing patients with the least invasive filter available.

"For some patients it may not be ideal for them to have a permanent filter used,” noted Carol L. Zilm, president of Cordis Endovascular. "This new indication further acknowledges our commitment to help physicians expand the reach of treatable patients.”




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