Inferior vena cava filter placement at bedside using computed tomography scan information: a new technique for...

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Interventional Radiology
• Vascular Surgery

Background:

• Inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) prevent pulmonary embolism in patients with contraindications to anticoagulation.
• Current IVCF placement typically relies on fluoroscopy and venography.
• A need exists for simplified, imaging-sparing IVCF deployment techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of using abdominal and pelvic computed tomography (CT) scans for guiding bedside inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) placement.
• To determine if additional intraoperative imaging is necessary when using CT-derived measurements for IVCF deployment.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of prospectively collected data from 38 patients undergoing bedside IVCF placement.
• Utilized measurements from pre-procedure abdominal/pelvic CT scans.
• No intraoperative imaging was used during filter deployment.

Main Results:

• Inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) were successfully placed bedside in all 38 patients.
• The most common indication was prophylaxis in high-risk patients without deep venous thrombosis.
• All filters were placed below the renal veins without complications, using both retrievable and nonretrievable types.

Conclusions:

• Abdominal CT scan measurements provide sufficient data for accurate bedside inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) placement.
• This CT-guided technique eliminates the need for intraoperative fluoroscopy or venography.
• The procedure is as straightforward as bedside femoral venous line placement.