DEPLOYMENT OF INFERIOR VENA CAVA FILTERS; EFFICACY AND SAFETY

Abstract

Objective: To study the patient's profile, indications and procedural success of placement of Inferior Vena
Cava (IVC) filters at AFIC/NIHD Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Design:A retrospective observational study.
Place and Duration of Study: The patients were studied in the department of Interventional Cardiology of
AFIC/NIHD from May 2004 to Jun 2005.
Material and Methods: 16 patients of either sex who revealed clinical and investigative evidence of recurrent
pulmonary embolism (PE) due to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of lower limbs were selected. All efforts
including history, physical examination and laboratory investigations were carried out in order to ascertain
the aetiology. A note was made of the associated conditions, past and family history of DVT and PE. IVC
filter was deployed through femoral vein in all patients as a life saving treatment modality. The procedure
was uncomplicated and all patients had smooth post procedural recovery.
Results: Through femoral vein, IVC filters (Trap Ease Cordis J&J) were successfully deployed below the
renal veins. In one patient, another filter was deployed immediately below the tricuspid valve.
Conclusion: IVC filter placement is a simple, safe and effective procedure in stabilizing patients who have
recurrent pulmonary embolism.