Comparing Forceps vs. Snare for IVC Filter Removal

This study is comparing two common ways to remove IVC filters (Inferior Vena Cava filters) from your body: using a snare device or using rigid forceps. IVC filters are placed to catch blood clots and are removed when they are no longer needed. The study wants to see if one method is better than the other by looking at how often the removal is successful, how long the procedure takes, and the costs involved. You might be able to join if you are an adult (18 or older), are not pregnant, and have a Cook Celect or Argon Medical Option Elite IVC filter that was put in less than 6 months ago at UCMC by their current Interventional Radiology staff. The current status of this study is unclear.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 100 participants. You would be randomly assigned to have your IVC filter removed using either the snare or forceps technique.
What's involved
You would undergo an IVC filter removal procedure. The study will measure the success of the removal, the time it takes, and costs.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Costs will be measured from the date of the procedure up through 6 months following IVC filter removal.

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NCT04092192

Forceps vs. Snare IVC Filter Removal

Recruiting
NAAges 18+Interventional
University of Chicago
~100 participants
Updated 2026-01-07 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:IVC filter removal

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Removal success rate
Measured over Procedure date
+3 more outcomes measured
DVT

NCT04092192

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • UChicago Medicine

    Chicago, Illinoisstudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

  • Osmanuddin Ahmed, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · UChicago Medicine

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Non-pregnant females
Adult patients (age 18 years and older)
Referred to Interventional Radiology for IVC filter removal
IVC filter implanted less than 6 months with the procedure being performed at UCMC by current IR staff.
Cook Celect filter or Argon Medical Option Elite

Exclusion

Patients with outside hospital filter placement
Filters other than Cook Celect or Argon Medical Option Elite
Implantation period \>6 months
Evidence of coagulopathy (INR \<1.8, platelet count \>50k)
Clotting disorder
Central venous occlusion
Prior filter placement/removal.
  • Removal success rateProcedure date

    Data will be analyzed by a biostatistician to determine statistical differences between cohorts with respect to outcome measures.

  • Flouroscopy timeProcedure start to finish

    Venography will be performed using a flush catheter and contrast material to evaluate for tip embedding. After filter retrieval, repeat venography will be performed to evaluate for thrombosis, caval spasm, caval perforation, fractured fragments, and other potential complications.

  • CostsDate of procedure up through 6 months following IVC filter removal

    Costs associated with filter removal encounter

  • Procedure related complicationsDate of procedure through 6 months following IVC filter removal

    After hemostasis is achieved, patients will be monitored for 2-4 hours in the interventional radiology recovery area. One month after filter retrieval, patients will be seen in clinic for follow-up. During this visit, a physicial assessment will done, including adverse events and review of medications. Six months after filter retrieval, patient will be contacted by telephone for follow-up. Adverse event and medication review will be performed during this call.