Prophylaxis of Pulmonary Embolism with Partial Interruption of the Inferior Vena Cava: Indications and Results

Abstract

From 1970 to 1985, the authors performed 440 partial interruptions of the inferior vena cava for prophylaxis of embolisms. An extraluminal clip was implanted in 248 patients, an intraluminal filter in 138 patients, and an intraluminal umbrella in 54 patients.Long-term clinical, phlebographic, and hemodynamic results are described. Situations indicating, and situations contraindicating, this prophylactic surgical procedure are listed.The extraluminal clip and the intraluminal filter were associated with less than 1% postoperative mortality, whereas a mortality rate of 7% was associated with the extraluminal umbrella. The permeability of the inferior vena cava and the hemodynamic status were not much compromised over a five-to fifteen-year period with the extraluminal clip or the intraluminal filter.