Placement of a vena cava filter with an antecubital approach.
OBJECTIVE
The authors performed this study to evaluate the use of an antecubital venous approach for inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement.


METHODS
An IVC filter was placed in 26 patients (15 men, 11 women) in whom the antecubital vein was the preferred access site. An antecubital vein was accessed with ultrasound guidance and used for IVC filter placement. This same access site was used to place a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in 17 of the 26 patients. Access was obtained via the basilic vein in 15 patients (58%), brachial vein in eight (31%), and cephalic vein in three (12%).


RESULTS
The IVC filter was successfully placed in the infrarenal vena cava in all 26 patients (100%) by using an antecubital vein for access. All filters deployed appropriately without complication. No complications occurred during PICC placement.


CONCLUSIONS
The IVC filter can be safely placed via an antecubital vein. When clinically necessary, this site can provide convenient access for the PICC placement.
Stavropoulos
S William
SW
Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
Clark
Timothy
T
Jacobs
Darick
D
Soulen
Michael
M
Shlansky-Goldberg
Richard
R
Solomon
Jeffrey
J
Baum
Richard
R
D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016306:Vena Cava Filters; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior