Use of inferior vena cava filters in thromboembolic disease two case reports with a literature review.
Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filters are used in cases of documented pulmonary embolism (PE) where anticoagulation is contraindicated or has failed. Increasingly, they are being used prophylactically in preoperative patients at high risk of embolism. This latter group includes patients with free-floating caval, iliac or femoral vein thrombi. Filters may be permanent (eg Greenfield), temporary (eg Antheor, Gunther) or retrievable (eg Gunther Tulip). This last type of filter is becoming increasingly popular. We present two recent cases in which retrievable filters were intentionally used, with good results. A recent literature review is included.
Brenner
C
C
Dept of Diagnostic Imaging, St. James' Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. cbrenner@ireland.com
Molloy
M
M
McEniff
N
N
D000328:Adult; D020878:Device Removal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016306:Vena Cava Filters; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior