DVTNCT04092192
Forceps vs. Snare IVC Filter Removal
A study testing IVC filter removal in people with DVT, run by University of Chicago at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
IVC filters are mechanical filters placed in a patient's body to trap blood clots in the legs migrating to the lungs. When no longer indicated, interventional radiologists are consulted for IVC filter removal. Currently, many methods for extracting IVC filters exist. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- DVT
- What is being tested?
- IVC filter removal
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 100 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 26 Dec 2018to 30 Jan 2028
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 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
Who cannot join
- 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.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Pamela Lofton, RN, MSN contact
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
UChicago Medicine
Chicago, Illinois, 60637
Osmanuddin Ahmed, M.D., 773-795-7226, oahmed@uchicago.edu
Pamela Lofton, RN, MSN, 773-702-2537, plofton@uchicago.edu
About this study
Official title: Prospective Comparison of Rigid Forceps Versus Endovascular Snare for Routine IVC Filter Retrieval
IVC filters are mechanical filters placed in a patient's body to trap blood clots in the legs migrating to the lungs. When no longer indicated, interventional radiologists are consulted for IVC filter removal. Currently, many methods for extracting IVC filters exist. Two of the most common methods involve using an endovascular snare device or rigid forceps. We intend to prospectively compare these two methods in an attempt to see if one offers an advantage to the other. This will be compared by evaluating success rates and procedure time.
Read the detailed description
Currently the optimal method for IVC filter retrieval with respect to success rate and fluoroscopic time (i.e. radiation exposure) is poorly understood. Both snare and forcep techniques have independently evaluated in literature but have never been compared directly. The proposed study would prospectively assess whether one of these established technique offers an advantage with respect to either of these variables.
- Conditions
- DVT
- Being tested
- IVC filter removal
- Keywords
- IVC filter, filter removal, filter retrieval
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
IVC filter removalDevice
In the clinic, it will be explained to patient that they are asked to participate in a study that would randomize them to one of two established techniques for IVC filter removal. It will be explained these are both techniques that are used by interventional radiologists normally used for IVC filter retrieval.
One technique would be the utilization of an endovascular snare (like a lasso) device that is designed to catch the hook of the filter and allow it to be captured.
The other technique described will be the usage of a rigid forceps device that will be used to engage the filter apex directly and allow for the filter to be capture/removed.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Forceps | Active comparator | Subjects randomized to this cohort will have their IVC filter removed using a rigid forceps device that will be used to engage the filter apex directly and allow for the filter to be capture/removed. Receives: Device: IVC filter removal |
| Snare | Active comparator | Subjects randomized to this cohort will have their IVC filter removed using an endovascular snare (like a lasso) device that is designed to catch the hook of the filter and allow it to be captured. Receives: Device: IVC filter removal |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Removal success rate
Data will be analyzed by a biostatistician to determine statistical differences between cohorts with respect to outcome measures.
Measured: Procedure date
Flouroscopy time
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.
Measured: Procedure start to finish
Costs
Costs associated with filter removal encounter
Measured: Date of procedure up through 6 months following IVC filter removal
Procedure related complications
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.
Measured: Date of procedure through 6 months following IVC filter removal
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Sep 2019
- Study start26 Dec 2018
- Primary completion30 Jan 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Jan 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for DVTStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of ChicagoThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Chicago
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Osmanuddin Ahmed, MD, Principal investigator, UChicago Medicine
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04092192
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRB 18-1502
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 13 Sep 2019
- Last updated
- 7 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- Yes
- Individual data sharing
- No: Data will not be shared
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Prospective Comparison of Rigid Forceps Versus Endovascular Snare for Routine IVC Filter Retrieval
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04092192
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IRB 18-1502
- Conditions
- DVT
- Keywords
- IVC filter, filter removal, filter retrieval
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of ChicagoUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 26 Dec 2018 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jan 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Jan 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 17 Sep 2019 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
IVC filters are mechanical filters placed in a patient's body to trap blood clots in the legs migrating to the lungs. When no longer indicated, interventional radiologists are consulted for IVC filter removal. Currently, many methods for extracting IVC filters exist. Two of the most common methods involve using an endovascular snare device or rigid forceps. We intend to prospectively compare these two methods in an attempt to see if one offers an advantage to the other. This will be compared by evaluating success rates and procedure time.
Detailed description
Currently the optimal method for IVC filter retrieval with respect to success rate and fluoroscopic time (i.e. radiation exposure) is poorly understood. Both snare and forcep techniques have independently evaluated in literature but have never been compared directly. The proposed study would prospectively assess whether one of these established technique offers an advantage with respect to either of these variables.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Forceps | Active comparator | Device: IVC filter removalSubjects randomized to this cohort will have their IVC filter removed using a rigid forceps device that will be used to engage the filter apex directly and allow for the filter to be capture/removed. |
| Snare | Active comparator | Device: IVC filter removalSubjects randomized to this cohort will have their IVC filter removed using an endovascular snare (like a lasso) device that is designed to catch the hook of the filter and allow it to be captured. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 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
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- 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
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| IVC filter removalIn the clinic, it will be explained to patient that they are asked to participate in a study that would randomize them to one of two established techniques for IVC filter removal. It will be explained these are both techniques that are used by interventional radiologists normally used for IVC filter retrieval. One technique would be the utilization of an endovascular snare (like a lasso) device that is designed to catch the hook of the filter and allow it to be captured. The other technique described will be the usage of a rigid forceps device that will be used to engage the filter apex directly and allow for the filter to be capture/removed. | Device | Forceps, Snare |
Primary outcome
Removal success rate
Time frame: Procedure date
Data will be analyzed by a biostatistician to determine statistical differences between cohorts with respect to outcome measures.
Flouroscopy time
Time frame: Procedure 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.
Costs
Time frame: Date of procedure up through 6 months following IVC filter removal
Costs associated with filter removal encounter
Procedure related complications
Time frame: Date 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.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 7 Jan 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Data will not be shared
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Pamela Lofton, RN, MSN contact
Osmanuddin Ahmed, MD principal investigator
UChicago Medicine
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing IVC filter removal in people with DVT, run by University of Chicago at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Jan 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Osmanuddin Ahmed, MD (773-795-7226, oahmed@uchicago.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Removal success rate (time frame: Procedure date). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 7 Jan 2026.