Initial experience of color Doppler ultrasound-guided interior vena caval filter placement / 中华超声影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and clinical value of color Doppler flow imaging(CDFI) guided inferior vena caval filter insertion(IVCFI). Methods Thirty-one consecutive patients with unilateral lower extremity deep venous thrombosis were selected for IVCFI. Screening CDFI was performed in all the patients. Locations of renal veins (RV),maximum diameter of the inferior vena cava (IVC),and presence or absence of thrombus were documented. If visualization was adequate,IVCFI was performed under guidance of CDFI. CDFI and abdominal plain film of radiograph were used to document proper deployment,and circumferential engagement of the filter struts in the IVC wall. Also,CDFI was repeated each one month to assess IVC filter migration,thrombus adherent to the filter,and IVC patency. Results CDFI visualization was adequate in thirty-one patients(100%) and the average diameter of IVC was 19.7 mm. Thirty-one VenaTech IVC filters were placed without technical difficulty. No technical complication occurred in all the patients. Follow-up examination showed that no filter uncompleted opening and migration and no IVC thrombus were observed. Seven cases (29%) with embolus trapped by IVC filter were found. There had been no report of pulmonary emboli after IVCFI. Conclusions Placement IVC filter is feasible and safe with CDFI. CDFI-guided IVCFI substantially reduces the procedural cost and avoids the need for radiation exposure and intravenous contrast.