title: Indications for vena caval fenestration.
abstract: A retrospective study of 20 patients who underwent vena caval fenestration showed that in 50% of the patients the procedure was done for prophylaxis and in 50% it was done for therapeutic reasons. After this procedure five patients had persistent leg swelling, two had deep venous thrombosis, two had pulmonary emboli and one died of a respiratory arrest. We recommend limiting the use of vena caval fenestration to those patients who have verified pulmonary embolism while adequately anticoagulated or patients who have pulmonary embolism and a major contraindication to anticoagulation.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000601:surgery*; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000601:surgery*; D014684:Venae Cavae / Q000601:surgery*