FIRST RESULTS WITH TEMPORARY VENA-CAVA FILTERS

Aim: For prophylactic measures we used 3 different temporarily insertable vena cava filters. Material and methods: In 49 patients we inserted 12 Cook-filters (6 transjugular, 6 transfemoral), 11 Angio-cor-filters(1 transjugular,10 transbrachial, 26 Antheorfilters filters (1 transjugular, 1 transfemoral, 24 transbrachial). 35 patients underwent a lysis therapy, 11 a major operation of the pelvis, and 3 patients a Caesarean section. Results: No patient suffered from a clinically significant pulmonary embolism after filter insertion, but complications occurred caused by the basic therapy II lethal abdominal aortic aneurysm operation, 1 cerebral bleeding, 2 retroperitoneal haematomas, 2 streptokinase fever reactions, 1 compartment syndrome, 1 macro-haematuria) or by therapy joined with the filters insertion (2 groin haematomas, 2 haematomas of the bend of the elbow, 2 subclavian vein thrombosis, 1 catheter dislocation, 1 infection, 1 air embolism, 1 break of a leg of the filter basket). Conclusion: Temporary vena cava filters are highly efficient in preventing pulmonary embolism, but the side-effects show that they should only be inserted in patients with known deep vein thrombosis and a high risk treatment of the underlying disease.