Vena cava filter

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In medicine, vena cava filters, also called Greenfield filters, are "mechanical devices inserted in the inferior vena cava that prevent the migration of blood clots from deep venous thrombosis of the leg."[1]

Inferior vena cava filter reduces pulmonary embolism[2] and is an option for patients with an absolute contraindication to anticoagulant treatment (e.g., cerebral hemorrhage) or those rare patients who have objectively documented recurrent pulmonary embolisms while on anticoagulation.

Adverse effects

Vena cava filters are themselves potential foci of thrombosis,[3] IVC filters are viewed as a temporizing measure for preventing life-threatening pulmonary embolism.

References

  1. Anonymous (2024), Vena cava filter (English). Medical Subject Headings. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  2. Decousus H, Leizorovicz A, Parent F, Page Y, Tardy B, Girard P, Laporte S, Faivre R, Charbonnier B, Barral F, Huet Y, Simonneau G (1998). "A clinical trial of vena caval filters in the prevention of pulmonary embolism in patients with proximal deep-vein thrombosis. Prévention du Risque d'Embolie Pulmonaire par Interruption Cave Study Group". N Engl J Med 338 (7): 409-15. PMID 9459643.
  3. (2005) "Eight-year follow-up of patients with permanent vena cava filters in the prevention of pulmonary embolism: the PREPIC (Prevention du Risque d'Embolie Pulmonaire par Interruption Cave) randomized study". Circulation 112 (3): 416-22. PMID 16009794.