Temporary Inferior Vena Cava Filter Placement in Patients withDeep Vein Thrombosis

Lim, Ji Yong; Kwun, Woo Hyung; Suh, Bo Yang

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and complications of temporary inferior vena cava filters in deep vein thrombosis. METHOD: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical data of 35 patients who underwent percutaneous insertion of a temporary, retrievable IVC filter during treatment of deep vein thrombosis between 2003 and 2006. A Tulip(R) was used in 25 patients, and an OptEase(R) was used in 10 patients. Indications for filter insertion included thrombolytic therapy (n=29), long floating IVC thrombosis (n=4), and pulmonary thromboembolism history with recurrent venous-thromboembolism (n=2). Deep vein thrombosis was treated with an endovascular procedure in 33 patients and anticoagulation therapy in 2 patients. RESULT: Complete symptom resolution was achieved in all patients. The temporary IVC filters were successfully retrieved in 28 of 35 patients (mean duration of filter placement: 9.57 days), but retrieval failed in 7 patients (thrombus in filter, 3 cases; remnant IVC thrombosis, 1 case; remnant iliac vein thrombosis/venous stenosis in high risk patient, 2 cases; in-hospital mortality due to underlying heart disease, 1 case). There were no cases of pulmonary embolism and no serious IVC filter-related complications during insertion, retraction, or remnant IVC filter follow-up.
CONCLUSION
Temporary, retrievable IVC filters were effective in the prevention of pulmonary embolism. Further investigations are necessary to determine long-term outcome data for filters left in place.