Retrievable vena cava filter placement during treatment for deep venous thrombosis

The purpose of our study is to evaluate the safety of insertion and removal of the retrievable vena cava filter and the efficacy of this filter in preventing pulmonary embolism during treatment of stenosis or obstruction of the lower extremity due to deep venous thrombosis. We retrospectively evaluated placement of 10 filters in 6 patients with lower extremity deep venous thrombosis who had undergone various treatments, including those utilizing techniques of interventional radiology. Worsening of or the new formation of pulmonary embolism was prevented in all patients. All attempts at both implantation and retrieval of the filter were safely accomplished. No complication related to filter placement occurred. Filters were left in the vena cava for permanent use when deep venous thrombosis was refractory to treatment. These results demonstrate that both placement and removal of the retrievable vena cava filter can be accomplished safely and that this type of filter is useful to prevent pulmonary embolism during treatment of deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremity. Further, the use of a retrievable vena cava filter might be preferred over that of a temporary vena cava filter, especially if further implantation of a filter becomes necessary since replacement with a permanent filter would not be required when using a retrievable vena cava filter.