Inferior vena cava filter placement guided by color-ultrasonography / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To report an improved method, color-ultrasonography-guided inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement, for preventing the pulmonary embolism (PE) caused by the deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Methods Color-ultrasonography-guided IVC filter insertion was performed in 9 patients with DVT of lower limb, 1 of which also had PE accompanied with at the time of admission. Out of the 9 patients, 5 patients underwent embolectomy immediately after the filter placement while the other 4 patients were treated conservatively. Results The placements were all completed successfully. Follow-up observations for 1～7 months (mean 2 months) found no complications or occurrence of PE. No recurrence of PE was found in the patient already with PE. Conclusions The color-ultrasonography-guided IVC filter placement can effectively prevent PE caused by DVT. The method is suitable for severe, immovable patients, as well as patients with renal insufficiency and being allergic to intravenous contrast, and is safe, convenient, cheap and prone to popularization.