title: Complications of the nitinol vena caval filter.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock.
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: McCowan
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Ferris
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Carver
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Molpus
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys; C013616:nitinol