The new titanium Greenfield vena cava filter: initial experience and review.

The Greenfield vena cava filter is an established therapeutic option in the prevention of pulmonary embolism. The development of a 12 French modified titanium Greenfield filter (TGF) has made it possible to insert the filter percutaneously and to have a low complication rate. We report our initial experience with percutaneous insertion of the 12-French titanium Greenfield vena cava filter for 6 patients who all had major extensive deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and contraindications to anticoagulation. The inferior vena cava (IVC) filters were inserted in all the 6 patients via the internal jugular route without difficulty. There was no bruising, haematoma or bleeding complications despite the use of the 12 French system. The IVC filter was opened without cross-snaring of the filter legs in all 6 patients. This was confirmed with cranio-caudal, left anterior oblique and right anterior oblique views of the deployed filter. There was however some asymmetry of the filter leg positions but it did not cause any significant angulation of the filter in relation to the IVC. The IVC filters were firmly secured with no filter migration immediately post-procedure. The 12-French titanium Greenfield vena cava filter was safely deployed percutaneously with no complications in our small series of patients. With the use of titanium in the design of Greenfield filter, the clinical effectiveness and performance is maintained while providing for easier insertion and reduction of patient discomfort.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)