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Prevention of pulmonary embolism by inferior vena cava filters: Results in 62 cases

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Abstract

The most effective methods of preventing recurrent pulmonary embolism involve interruption of the pathway of emboli through the inferior vena cava. Of the several procedures that interrupt vena caval blood flow, percutaneous implantation of a screen filter is associated with the lowest risk and appears to be as effective as any of the other procedures in preventing recurrent emboli. This article describes the experience with 62 cases of screen filter implantation performed between 1971 and 1975. Pulmonary embolism recurred in 1.6% of the patients, and 10% of the patients developed swelling of the lower extremities that did not exist preoperatively. Inferior vena cava phlebography performed 6 to 24 months postoperatively in 25 patients showed a patent inferior vena cava in 9 patients, partial occlusion of the vena cava in 8 patients, and complete occlusion of the vena cava with extensive collateral veins in 8 patients.

Résumé

L'interruption de la veine cave inférieure est reconnue comme étant le traitement le plus efficace pour prévenir les embolies pulmonaires à répétition. Des différentes techniques en usage, l'implantation d'un filtre endoveineux par voie trans-cutanée est la méthode la moins risquée et semble aussi efficace que toutes les autres faÇons d'interrompre le flot cave. L'article rapporte les résultats obtenus chez 62 patients traités par implantation d'un filtre endo-cave entre 1971 et 1975. Le taux de récidive des embolies pulmonaires a été de 1.6%, et chez 10% des patients il est apparu un oedème des membres inferieurs qui n'existait pas avant l'operation. Chez 25 patients on a procédé à une phlébographie de la veine cave inférieure entre 6 et 24 mois après l'opération; chez 9 d'entre eux, la veine cave inférieure était perméable; chez huit il existait une occlusion partielle, tandis que chez huit autres patients la veine cave inférieure était complètement fermée avec apparition d'une circulation collatérale importante.

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Schlosser, V., Spillner, G. & Kaiser, W. Prevention of pulmonary embolism by inferior vena cava filters: Results in 62 cases. World J. Surg. 1, 113–116 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01654747

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01654747

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