title: A retrospective analysis of inferior vena caval filtration for prevention of pulmonary embolization.
abstract: Inferior vena caval (IVC) filtration employing transvenous devices represents a substantive technologic advance in the management of patients with deep venous phlebothrombosis and pulmonary embolization. The retrospective analysis reported herein of the use of the Kim-Ray Greenfield IVC filter in 22 patients revealed a 95 per cent efficacy in its prevention of pulmonary embolization. The minor acute morbidity (9%) and chronic morbidity (27%) associated with use of the device was well tolerated by this patient population. No mortality attributable to the device was observed. The data suggest that the use of this device represented the best therapeutic option among those patients who were not candidates (18/22) or who had failed alternative therapeutic modalities (1/22) for the treatment of deep venous phlebothrombosis or pulmonary embolization. The data also suggest that use of the device in a prophylactic context (3/22) among those patients deemed at "high risk" for the development of deep venous phlebothrombosis and pulmonary embolization may be beneficial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile.
authors.forename: W O
authors.initials: WO
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Ferrara
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Rodning
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006440:Hemofiltration / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000150:complications*; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior