Complications of the nitinol vena caval filter.
Simon nitinol vena caval filters were placed percutaneously in 20 patients. Follow-up (average, 14 months) data were available for 16 patients, and four patients were lost to follow-up. There were no proved or suspected cases of pulmonary embolism after filter insertion. Complications encountered included caval penetration (n = 5, one acute and four at follow-up), caval thrombus (n = 4, two determined radiologically and two clinically), postplacement deep venous thrombosis (n = 2, one radiologic and one clinical), filter migration (n = 1), and delayed fracture of a filter leg (n = 2). Although no deaths or significant morbidity resulted from any complication, the relatively high complication rate, especially of significant caval penetration (documented in 25% of filter insertions), merits continued short- and long-term assessment of patient status after filter placement.
McCowan
T C
TC
Department of Radiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock.
Ferris
E J
EJ
Carver
D K
DK
Molpus
W M
WM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000497:Alloys; D005260:Female; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D011859:Radiography; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology; D016306:Vena Cava Filters; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries
D000497:Alloys; C013616:nitinol