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In vitro evaluation of caval filters

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Abstract

This experiment demonstrated the clottrapping ability of two commercially available filters, the Mobin-Uddin and Greenfield, and three experimental filters developed by Amplatz, Günther, and Gianturco. Each filter was tested in a polyethylene tube simulating the inferior vena cava. Separate series of 10 clots, each 3 cm long and 6 mm or 9.2 mm in diameter, were exposed to the test filter. The Mobin-Uddin and Amplatz filters failed by overload: acutely elevated pressures forced clots outside the skirt of the former, and between the limbs of the latter. The Günther filter trapped all incident clots, but migrated downstream when occluded by clot. The Greenfield filter passed clots at normal pressures between its widely spaced legs. The Gianturco (bird's nest) passed clots at normal pressures as well. While filters performed suboptimally, strengthening the anchoring struts of the Günther filter would result in a secure, effective filter.

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Author notes

  1. Jeffrey D. Robinson

    Present address: Department of Radiology, UCLA Medical Center, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, 90024, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinic, 420 Delaware Street S.E., Box 292 UMHC, 55455, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Jeffrey D. Robinson, Michael T. Madison, David W. Hunter, Wilfrido R. Castaneda-Zuniga & Kurt Amplatz M.D.

Authors
  1. Jeffrey D. Robinson
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  2. Michael T. Madison
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  3. David W. Hunter
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  4. Wilfrido R. Castaneda-Zuniga
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  5. Kurt Amplatz M.D.
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Robinson, J.D., Madison, M.T., Hunter, D.W. et al. In vitro evaluation of caval filters. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 11, 346–351 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02577413

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