Clinical experience with retrievable vena cava filters for prevention of pulmonary thromboembolism

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness and complications of the retrievable vena cava filter [Güther tulip vena cava filter(GTF)] for the prevention of pulmonary thromboembolism in patients with deep vein thrombosis. METHODS: Seventeen patients, 3 males and 14 females, aged 21 to 82 years (mean age 59 +/- 19 years), underwent implantation of GTFs between December 2000 and February 2002 at Mie University Hospital. All patients were treated under diagnoses of deep vein thrombosis with or without pulmonary thromboembolism based on venous ultrasonography, venography or computed tomography. Eleven patients were treated with thrombolysis. RESULTS: Significant thromboembolus was trapped within the filter in 3 of 12 patients. No acute pulmonary thromboembolism occurred during implantation or at retrieval of the GTF. Retrieval of the GTF was attempted in 9 patients, and 8 GTFs were retrieved successfully. Mean interval of the filter implantation was 13.4 +/- 6.3 days and the mean retrieval time was 4.8 +/- 3.2 min. No complications occurred except for one case of minor hemorrhage at the puncture site. CONCLUSIONS: The placement and retrieval of the retrievable vena cava filter was feasible and safe. This filter was also effective for the prevention of pulmonary thromboembolism. This retrievable vena cava filter may be a good first-choice filter for both permanent and temporary use.