Interruption of the inferior vena cava for prevention of pulmonary embolism: transvenous filter devices.

The availability of a safe, effective, and easily introducible percutaneous vena cava filter is crucial in the management of certain patients with pulmonary embolism. If thrombolytic or anticoagulant therapy for pulmonary embolism is contraindicated or fails, interruption of the inferior vena cava (IVC) blood flow is the logical alternative. Indications for filter insertion include a contraindication to anticoagulation, or recurrent pulmonary embolism despite adequate anticoagulation therapy. Common routes of filter insertion are from the right internal jugular vein, or the right or left femoral veins. The Mobin-Uddin umbrella filter (no longer available in the USA) and the Kimray-Greenfield filters have been the most widely used. Complications of vena cava filters include malpositioning, migration, venous thrombosis proximal or distal to the filter, hemorrhage at the percutaneous site of insertion, or sepsis. Despite these problems, IVC filters have been extremely useful in the management of pulmonary embolism among certain subsets of patients. Percutaneously inserted filters have now superseded surgical vena caval interruption in most US centers. Newer filters are currently under development in the US and Europe, and feature improved filtering function, anti-tilt abilities, retrievability, memory wire properties, and improved ease of insertion.