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TrapEase vena cava filter: experience in 751 patients.
Sanjeeva P Kalva1, Stephan Wicky, Arthur C Waltman
1Division of Cardiovascular Imaging & Intervention, Departments of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. skalva@partners.org
Summary
The TrapEase vena cava filter effectively prevents pulmonary embolism (PE) with a low complication rate. This study confirms its safety and efficacy in a large patient cohort over four years.
Area of Science:
- Vascular surgery
- Interventional radiology
- Cardiovascular medicine
Background:
- Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are crucial for preventing pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or contraindications to anticoagulation.
- The TrapEase filter is a retrievable IVC filter designed for safe and effective PE prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the clinical safety and efficacy of the TrapEase IVC filter.
- To evaluate outcomes in a single-center experience over a 4-year period.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of clinical and imaging data from 751 patients who received a TrapEase filter between 2001 and 2004.
- Analysis of patient indications for filter placement, including PE, DVT, and prophylaxis.
- Evaluation of filter placement (infrarenal/suprarenal) and access routes (femoral/jugular).
- Follow-up included chest CT for recurrent PE and abdominal CT for filter-related complications.
Main Results:
- A low rate of groin hematoma (0.4%) was observed.
- During a mean follow-up of 295 days, 7.5% of patients developed symptomatic PE, with one PE-related death (0.1%).
- Follow-up CT scans revealed filter component fracture (3.0%), intracaval thrombus (25.2%), and no filter migrations.
Conclusions:
- The TrapEase vena cava filter demonstrates effectiveness in preventing pulmonary embolism.
- The filter is associated with a minimal complication profile, supporting its clinical utility.