Suprarenal inferior vena cava filter implantation.

PURPOSE

This study evaluated the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of the suprarenal implantation of a retrievable filter in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and renal vein thrombosis (RVT) [extending or not extending to the inferior vena cava (IVC)] undergoing surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between March 2005 and May 2010, 13 patients (eight men and five women; mean age 67.08 years, range 38-95) with RCC and RVT associated or not with IVC thrombosis underwent implantation of a retrievable suprarenal IVC filter. All patients underwent computed tomography angiography (CTA), which documented RVT and in some cases its extension to the IVC. The level of IVC involvement by the neoplastic thrombus was evaluated on the basis of the Oto classification. Cavography was performed before and after filter implantation. Surgical resection of RCC was performed in all patients. A CTA scan was performed 1 week before filter removal.

RESULTS

The procedure had 100% feasibility. All filters were correctly deployed in the suprarenal tract of the IVC. There was no evidence of peri-or postprocedural complications. All patients were monitored for clinical symptoms of pulmonary embolism (PE). There was no evidence of PE in the 30 days after the procedure. All suprarenal IVC filters were removed from 30 to 60 days after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Implantation of a temporary suprarenal IVC filter is an additional and feasible procedure that can prevent immediate and perioperative PE.