[Ligation of the inferior vena cava and the Mobin-Uddin filter in the treatment of recurrent pulmonary embolism. Comparative study].

Twenty six cases of inferior vena cava interruption for the treatment of recurrent pulmonary embolism are reviewed. Ten patients were treated with inferior vena cava ligation while in the other 16 a Mobin-Uddin umbrella was placed. The recent and late complications of both groups were analyzed. The most common complication of the inferior vena cava ligation was edema of the lower extremities in 40% of the patients. In the Mobin-Uddin group, the most frequent complication was the recurrence of thrombophlebitis in lower limbs, that appeared in 50% of the cases studied. We conclude that inferior vena cava ligation may be more beneficial to these patients because the long term complications are fewer in number and severity.