Intravascular ultrasound--guided inferior vena cava filter placement in the military multitrauma patients: a single-center experience.
BACKGROUND
High velocity fragments have resulted in a multitude of complex injuries in the military patients, placing them at increased risk of venous thromboembolism.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis was performed of all the intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided bedside inferior vena cava (IVC) filters placed between August 2003 and October 2007.


RESULTS
Fourteen patients had bedside IVUS-guided retrievable filter placement. Thirteen males and one female and the mean (+SD) injury severity scores (ISS) was 37.2 (+9.9). The most common causes of injury were explosive devices (57%), gunshot wounds (28%), rocket-propelled grenades (7%), and motor vehicle crashes (7%). Indications for filter insertion were deep venous thrombosis in 36% of patients and pulmonary embolus in 28%. Thirty five percent had filters inserted prophylactically.


CONCLUSIONS
Military trauma population ISS is considerably higher than what is reported in the civilian population. The bedside IVUS-guided IVC filter insertion is particularly useful in this population.
Aidinian
Gilbert
G
Department of Surgery, Peripheral Vascular Surgery Service, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C., USA. gilbert.aidinian@us.army.mil
Fox
Charles J
CJ
White
Paul W
PW
Cox
Mitchell W
MW
Adams
Eric D
ED
Gillespie
David L
DL
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000150:complications*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D014481:United States; D016306:Vena Cava Filters; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014857:Warfare