The Effect of a Temporary Inferior Vena Cava Filter in the Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis in Critically-Ill Patients

Abstract

SUMMARYWe studied the clinical courses of patients with deep vein thrombus (DVT) who underwent insertion of temporary inferior vena cava filters (tIVCF) and evaluated the effectiveness of the tIVCF.From January 2003 to March 2008, tIVCF were placed in 12 patients with a diagnosis of DVT in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Gunma University Hospital. The mean age of the patients was 52 ± 16 years (range, 18-82). Eight were medical patients who had not undergone any prior surgery, and 4 were postoperative patients, including 3 with a malignancy. The diagnosis of DVT was made using enhanced computed tomography. The Toray Neuhaus Protect catheter (6Fr, Toray Medical, Tokyo) was used as a tIVCF in all 12 patients. We evaluated the clinical course of the patients before and after placement of a tIVCF and studied their prognosis.DVT occurred on 15 ± 9 days after surgery or admission to hospital. Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) was detected in 7 patients prior to the placement of a tIVCF, 3 of whom required cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The mean duration of tIVCF placement was 18 ± 9 days; no episodes of PTE occurred after tIVCF placement. DVT completely or almost completely disappeared during the period of tIVCF placement; subsequently, tIVCFs were successfully removed in 10 patients (83%). A permanent IVCF was placed in only 1 patient, and the tIVCF was removed in the remaining patient because of suspected catheter infection. There were 2 complications related to tIVCF placement: infection at the insertion site and suspected catheter infection. tIVCF placement could prevent the occurrence of PTE without provoking life-threatening complications. The results suggest that tIVCF is useful in the prevention of PTE in patients with DVT. (Int Heart J 2008; 49: 713-721)

Thrombus just beneath a retrievable inferior vena cava filter in a pregnant woman with deep vein thrombosis: Its removal requiring catheter thrombus fragmentation with fibrinolysis

“…To our best knowledge, there have been three reports on IVC complications using a Toray Neuhaus Protect catheter. Oshima et al . used the IVC catheter in 12 patients with DVT; there were no thrombi in the filter.…”

Retrievable Inferior Vena Cava Filter and Catheter Directed Thrombolysis (CDT) for Treating a 19-year-old Man with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Complicated by Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): A Case Report

“…For preventing PTE, temporary IVC filters are reported to be as effective as permanent filters, 5) and these retrievable IVC filters have been used effectively in patients with transient risks.…”

Thrombectomy and Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis Combined With Antithrombin Concentrate for Treatment of Antithrombin Deficiency Complicated by Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis That Is Refractory to Anticoagulation

“…Temporary intravenous filter placement may also play a key role in the prevention of PTE in patients with medical refractory DVT. 10) On the other hand, it has been reported that the incidence of bleeding complications does not depend on thrombosis location.…”