[How effective is the interruption of the inferior vena cava for the prevention of recurrent pulmonary emboli?].

Analysis of results which have been obtained by interruption of the inferior vena cava for prevention of recurrent pulmonary emboli. The incidence of recurren emboli by means of the 3 possible methods ligature, plication and intraluminal filter is 6%, 5% or 2%. The incidence of fatal pulmonary emboli is 2%, 1% or 0,5%. There are no studies which do compare the effectiveness of operative procedures with the drug prevention. Both the operative and the drug prevention are not without mortality. Interruption of the inferior vena cava for the prevention of recurrent pulmonary emboli should be carried out in exceptional situations only as possibility of failure of anticoagulation.