title: Inferior vena cava filter placement: preinsertion inferior vena cava imaging.
abstract: Imaging of the vena vava prior to the insertion of an inferior vena vava (IVC) filter is mandatory to assess IVC diameter and patency, delineate anatomy and venous anomalies, and to direct filter placement for appropriate deployment and avoidance of complications. The standard imaging technique is vena cavography, although alternative methods to evaluate the inferior vena cava include carbon dioxide venography, transabdominal duplex ultrasound, and intravascular ultrasound. This manuscript will review the anatomical features, technique, and complications of pre-insertion inferior vena cava imaging and discuss alternative methods to evaluate the inferior vena cave prior to filter insertion.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina 28203, USA.
authors.forename: Brent D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.forename: Charles S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Joels
authors.forename: Mark H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: LeQuire
mesh_terms: D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D010690:Phlebography / Q000379:methods; D016306:Vena Cava Filters; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D002245:Carbon Dioxide