Feasibility study of hand-carried ultrasound-guided retrievable inferior vena cava filter placement

Background: With the development of ultrasonic diagnostic techniques in recent years, ultrasound guided placement of inferior vena cava (IVC) filters has been widely used in clinics, and satisfactory results have been achieved. Our study aims to observe the accuracy of hand-carried ultrasound-guided retrievable vena cava filter placement, evaluate the feasibility and safety of this new method, and provide a scientific and effective interventional method and clinical data to prevent acute pulmonary embolism (PE) after battle injury of limbs. Methods: Two hundred patients with post-traumatic thrombosis of the extremities were enrolled. The renal vein was located under the guidance of hand-carried ultrasound. The retrievable filter was fixed 1-2 cm below the opening of the renal vein. The self-expanding filter was used after the filter's position was confirmed by injecting the contrast agent under the digital subtraction angiography (DSA) fluoroscopy. Results: All the 200 patients underwent the operation successfully. The position of the hand-carried ultrasound localizer was consistent with the DSA localizer. All the filters were expanded smoothly. No complications related to the operation occurred. Conclusions: The study concluded that the hand-carried ultrasound-guided retrievable vena cava filter placement has a high success rate and can prevent acute PE after limbs' battle injury.