[Temporary caval filters. Our experience. Preliminary analysis of 24 cases]

The AA. utilized temporary vena cava filters (16 Filcard and 8 Lysofilters) in 24 patients affected by deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the lower limbs for the prevention of primary and recurrent pulmonary embolism (PE). The diagnosis of thromboembolic disease was always achieved by means of Ultrasounds (echo-color doppler) and was punctually confirmed by a retrograde cavagram during the insertion of the device. 19 patients presented large free-floating thrombi at inferior caval, iliac or common femoral vein level whereas 5 patients presented thrombi mostly of occlusive aspect. There was clinical or scintigraphic evidence of PE in 6 of the patients enrolled. 20 patients, without contraindications, were treated by fibrinolysis (F) with Urokinase (2-10 days) whereas 4 patients underwent surgical thrombectomy (T) because of short time relation with surgical intervention or trauma. All of them were protected by temporary vena cava filters and heparinized. All the filters were removed within 10 days. The results were considered "very good" (complete regression of floating thrombi) in 16 cases (14 F + 2 T), "good" (nearly complete regression of floating thrombi) in 3 cases (2 F + 1 T) and "poor" (unchanged) in the remaining 5 cases (4 F + 1 T). We didn't observe any new case or relapse of PE in the whole group and, furtherly, in 2 cases (1 F and 1 T) we demonstrated the capture of big emboli by the filter's basket. These clots were subsequently dissolved by fibrinolysis. To achieve the diagnosis of thromboembolic disease the following methods were used: 1--Screening: echo-color doppler of lower limbs extended to iliac and inferiora cava veins for detection of DVT and echocardio-color doppler for the detection of cardiac signs of PE. 2--DIAGNOSIS: pulmonary scintigram, retrograde cavogram and, rarely, angioCT scan. 3--FOLLOW-UP: echo-color doppler of lower limbs and pulmonary scintigram. The percutaneous insertion sites were the basilic vein (Filcard) and the right jugular vein (Lysofilter). Left jugular vein was used in 1 case with a big thyroid goitre. In the present experience we had no accidents during filters introduction or removal and no thrombosis at the insertion site (1 case of phlebitis of basilic vein). Indications and effectiveness: our results seem to be favorable to the use of inferior vena cava temporary filters for primary and recurrent pulmonary embolism prevention in the cases with floating thrombi both on fibrinolysis and embolectomy. In the cases of occlusive thrombotic diseases they proved to be effective to prevent PE during surgical embolectomy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)