Interventional therapies for venous thromboembolism: vena caval interruption, surgical embolectomy, and catheter-directed interventions.

Therapeutic strategies other than anticoagulation sometimes require consideration in the setting of acute venous thromboembolism. Vena caval filter placement is increasingly common, in part because of the availability of nonpermanent filter devices. Filter placement, surgical embolectomy, and catheter embolectomy have not been subjected to the same prospective, randomized clinical trial scrutiny as anticoagulation but seem appropriate in certain clinical settings. The indications, contraindications, and available data supporting these therapeutic methods are discussed.