Femoral vein thrombosis following percutaneous placement of the Greenfield filter

Following percutaneous insertion of the Greenfield inferior vena cava filter via the femoral route, patients were evaluated for femoral vein thrombosis by real-time ultrasound or Duplex sonography. In 23 patients (24 veins) the femoral vein was dilated with an 8-mm (24 F) angioplasty balloon catheter. Eight of 24 common femoral veins were thrombosed (33%). These findings indicate that thrombosis is a significant complication of percutaneous filter insertion. Dilation was performed in 20 patients (22 veins) with a 9-mm (27 F) balloon catheter; only three veins were thrombosed (14%). Over-dilation of the femoral vein to 27 F to accommodate the 24 F sheath/dilator set may decrease the incidence of thrombosis.