[Long term observations of patients after percutaneous inferior vena cava filter placement for recurrent pulmonary...

Pulmonary embolism remains an important cause of mortality despite recent advances in medical therapy. The inferior vena cava filter has been devised for treatment of pulmonary embolism. The Gunter inferior vena cava filter was inserted percutaneously in 6 patients with recurrent pulmonary embolism despite anticoagulation therapy. No complications were observed during this procedure. Two patients died after filter placement (one after six weeks one after 1.5 year) because of right heart failure observed before procedure. The other four patients showed no signs of pulmonary embolism during four years follow-up. We conclude that percutaneous insertion of the Gunter filter is a safe and effective technique for prevention of recurrent pulmonary embolism.