[Comparison of Gunther, Filcard and LGM definitive caval filters. Our experience].

The authors report their experience with 30 caval filters placed throughout 3 years, and compare it with the data from the literature. In 8 patients (26.5%) Gunther filters were used, in 16 cases (53.5%) Filcard filters (4 DF-01 and 12 DF-04) and finally the last 6 patients (20%) were treated with LGM filters. In 18 cases (60%) the filters were positioned through right common femoral vein, whereas in the remaining 12 patients (40%) they were placed through the right internal jugular vein. Early complications were 1 mispositioning (3.3%) with a LGM filter, 2 incomplete opening (6.6%) of Filcard DF-01 filters, 3 significant tiltings (10%) with Filcard DF-04 filters. One patient (3.3%) died one week after the placement of a Gunther filter. The radiologic follow-up, which included controls with conventional radiology, US, cavography, MR and CT revealed no later complications. All the filters exhibited both advantages and disadvantages. Although all the filters commonly in use are effective to prevent pulmonary embolism, further experience is necessary to find out the "ideal" filter.