title: Clinical outcome and complications of temporary inferior vena cava filter placement.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the current clinical experience of temporary inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement and its related complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2000 to December 2005, we enrolled 33 patients (8 men and 25 women) who underwent percutaneous insertion of a temporary IVC filter in the Department of Vascular Surgery of Tokyo University Hospital. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was proven in 78.8% of the patients. The indications for filter insertion were contraindication to anticoagulation therapy (9.1%), thrombolytic therapy (12.1%), perioperative prophylactic implantation (84.8%), pregnancy with DVT (3.0%), and prophylactic implantation in the absence of DVT (15.2%). A Neuhaus Protect was used in 13 patients, and an Antheor was used in 20 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean +/- SD duration of filter placement was 10.6 +/- 7.0 days. There was no case of pulmonary embolism during filter protection and retraction. Filter thrombosis (capture of thrombus) was observed in four patients (12.1%), who then received additional thrombolytic therapy. Thrombi were dissolved by thrombolysis in three, one of whom had replacement with a permanent filter. The thrombus was not dissolved in one patient and was removed under venotomy at the insertion site. Major filter-related complications occurred in nine patients (27.3%), including filter dislocation in four patients (12.1%), catheter fracture in three (9.1%), and catheter-related infection in one (3.0%). In a patient with giant ovarian cancer, the IVC was nearly occluded with massive thrombus around the filter 2 days after operation, and the vena cava was then ligated under open laparotomy. No patients died during filter protection and retraction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Temporary IVC filters were effective for the prevention of fatal pulmonary embolism. However, our experience of a high incidence of complications related to temporary filters suggests that this device has limited indications and supports the need for innovative design of temporary filters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Takuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyahara
authors.forename: Tetsuro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyata
authors.forename: Kunihiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shigematsu
authors.forename: Juno
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Deguchi
authors.forename: Hideo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Shigeyuki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ishii
authors.forename: Hirokazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nagawa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016306:Vena Cava Filters / Q000009:adverse effects; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology