The bird's nest inferior vena cava filter: progress report.

Abstract

The bird's nest inferior vena cava filter, in clinical trial since 1982, has been placed in 568 patients at risk for pulmonary embolism. Of the 481 patients in whom the filter had been in place for 6 months or more, 440 were followed up clinically. The prevalence of clinically suspected recurrent pulmonary thromboembolism was 2.7% (12 patients) and that of inferior vena cava filter occlusion was 2.9% (13 patients). With the initial filter design, filter migration occurred in five patients. No migrations have occurred in the 147 patients treated with the filter after its modification to improve the anchoring system for greater stability. The bird's nest filter has proved safe and effective in the prevention of pulmonary embolism.

The Günther-Tulip Retrievable IVC Filter

“…[2][3][4][5][6][7] According to a review of the use of permanent IVC filters by Becker et al, 6 recurrent clinical pulmonary embolism is rare after filter placement. Complications are common, but rarely life threatening, and among the reviewed studies only 0.16% of deaths were from complications.…”

Symptomatic inferior vena cava filter thrombosis: clinical study of 30 consecutive cases

“…Unfortunately, as most previous studies of caval patency after filter placement had unsystematic investigations or short follow-up, the real frequency of filter thrombosis is only approximate. Following placement of Greenfield, LGM, Simon nitinol, Amplatz, and Bird's Nest filters, the rate of IVC thrombosis has been reported as 6.2% (5 out of 81 patients), 7.8% (7 out of 90), 16.7% (3 out of 18), 17.5% (7 out of 40), 18.9% (7 out of 39), respectively [1][2][3][4][5]. In a study evaluating caval patency after placement of LGM and Gunther filters using venacavography and/or rheoplethysmography, early (first 8 days) and late (mean 5.7±5.4 months) filter occlusions were found in 3.4% (3 out of 87 filters) and 10.3% (9 out of 87 filters), respectively [6].…”

Optional inferior vena caval filters: where are we now?

“…Most optional filters can be used in vena cavae measuring up to 28 mm in diameter. If a megacava is present with caval size greater than 28 mm up to 40 mm, then the only available filter is the permanent Bird's Nest filter (Cook, William Cook Europe) [63]. Therefore, it is important to have one retrievable/optional filter of choice (this can be retrieved or used as permanent), along with a Bird's Nest filter on the shelf to cover all eventualities.…”