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Image Acquisition Method for the Sonographic Assessment of the Inferior Vena Cava
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Inferior vena caval filters: review of a 26-year single-center clinical experience

C A Athanasoulis1, J A Kaufman, E F Halpern

  • 1Department of Radiology, GRB 290A, Massachusetts General Hospital, 32 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114, USA. athanasoulis.christos@mgh.harvard.edu

Radiology
|July 11, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Inferior vena caval filters effectively prevent fatal pulmonary embolism (PE) with low complication rates. This review of 26 years of clinical experience confirms their safety and efficacy in protecting patients from life-threatening PE.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Surgery
  • Interventional Radiology
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are devices used to prevent pulmonary embolism (PE).
  • Long-term clinical experience with these devices is crucial for understanding their evolving role and outcomes.
  • A single-center review provides valuable insights into the real-world application and effectiveness of IVC filters.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the 26-year clinical experience with inferior vena caval filters at a single institution.
  • To assess the indications, safety, and effectiveness of IVC filter implantation.
  • To analyze outcomes including fatal PE, morbidity, and mortality associated with IVC filters.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective review of 1,765 IVC filter implantations in 1,731 patients from 1973 to 1998.
  • Data collection included indications for filter placement, filter types, and procedural complications.
  • Primary outcome was fatal post-filter PE; secondary outcomes included morbidity and mortality. Survival and morbidity-free survival curves were calculated.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of observed post-filter PE was 5.6%, with a 3.7% fatality rate, often occurring shortly after insertion.
  • Major complications occurred in 0.3% of procedures, and caval thrombosis prevalence was 2.7%.
  • The 30-day mortality rate was 17.0%, higher in patients with neoplasms. Prophylactic filter placement increased significantly over time.

Conclusions:

  • Inferior vena caval filters offer significant protection against life-threatening pulmonary embolism.
  • The procedure is associated with minimal morbidity, supporting its continued use in selected patients.
  • Long-term data from this single-center experience validate the efficacy and safety profile of IVC filters.
Abstract

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