Current practice of temporary vena cava filter insertion: a multicenter registry.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the current practice of temporary vena cava filter placement and its complications.


METHODS
A multicenter registry was conducted from May 1995 until May 1997 using a standardized questionnaire. One hundred eighty-eight patients were evaluated. Patient characteristics, filter indications, filter characteristics, and complications were registered.


RESULTS
Deep vein thrombosis was proven in 95.2% of the patients. Main filter indication was thrombolysis therapy (53.1%). Average filter time was 5.4 days. An Antheor filter was inserted in 56.4%, a Guenther filter in 26.6%, and a Prolyser filter in 17.%. Transfemoral filter implantation was slightly preferred (54.8%). Four patients died of pulmonary embolism (PE) during filter protection. Major filter problems were filter thrombosis (16%) and filter dislocation (4.8%). When thrombus was found in or at the filter before explantation, additional thrombolysis was performed in 16.7%, additional filter implantation in 10%, and thrombus aspiration in 6.7%; 4.8% of filters were replaced with permanent filters.


CONCLUSIONS
Temporary vena cava filters are placed to prevent PE in a defined patient population. Despite their presence, PEs still occur in a small percentage. Problems of filter thrombosis and dislocation have to be solved.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this multicenter registry support the need for innovative filter design, as well as a randomized, prospective study.
Lorch
H
H
Department of Radiology, Medical University of Luebeck, Lübeck, Germany. lorch@medinf.mu.luebeck.de
Welger
D
D
Wagner
V
V
Hillner
B
B
Strecker
E P
EP
Herrmann
H
H
Voshage
G
G
Zur
C
C
Schwarzbach
C
C
Schröder
J
J
Gullotta
U
U
Pleissner
J
J
Huttner
S
S
Siering
U
U
Märcklin
C
C
Chavan
A
A
Gläser
F
F
Apitzsch
D E
DE
Moubayed
K
K
Leonhardi
J
J
Schuchard
U M
UM
Weiss
H D
HD
Zwaan
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D012042:Registries; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D016306:Vena Cava Filters / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*