[The long-term clinical and imaging follow-up of inferior vena cava filters. A cross-sectional study].
We carried out a cross-sectional study to assess morphological findings and incidence of complications in 77 inferior vena cava filters (IVC) implanted in 75 patients between April 1990 and January 1994. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 61 months (mean, 38.5 months) and was carried out by telephone interview, clinical examination, X-rays of the ilium/vena cavum and, in some cases, by Doppler sonogram and computed tomography. Findings revealed IVC thrombosis in 38% of patients, edema in the lower extremities in 63.4%, angling > 15 degrees in 8 patients, defective opening in 4, fibrosis of the vena cava with stenosis in 2 and perforation of the IVC in 3. Although our study shows that the incidence of IVC thrombosis after implantation of filters is higher than suspected, its clinical importance is slight.
de Gregorio
M A
MA
Sección de Radiología Intervencionista, Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, Zaragoza.
Alfonso
E R
ER
Mainar
A
A
Fernández
J A
JA
Ariño
I
I
Rubio
P
P
Medrano
J
J
Villavieja
J L
JL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013689:Telephone; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D016306:Vena Cava Filters / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries
Seguimiento clínico y por medios de imagen a largo plazo de los filtros de vena cava inferior. Estudio transversal.