[The Bird's Nest vena cava filter: preliminary experiences]

We report our preliminary experience with the Bird's Nest inferior vena cava filter. Six patients, three men and three women, mean age 71 years (range 25-86), were considered for a Bird's Nest Filter during a 28-month period. Indications were contraindications to anticoagulation in two patients and insufficient effect of anticoagulant therapy in four patients. Three patients succumbed before filter placement. Two filters were placed percutaneously via the right common femoral vein and one via the left common femoral vein. All three filters were inserted successfully without complications. One patient died of multi-organ-failure 25 days after the filter insertion. Two patients are without any complaints and have normal ultrasound examinations 90 and 350 days after filter placement. It is uncommon to insert IVC filters in Denmark, we recommend that it be done by interventional radiologists.