Inferior Vena Cava filter for prevention of Pulmonary Embolus

In previous posts, Vascular Device Forum (VDF) heard comments from Dr Santiao Chahwan regarding the immediate treatment of deep venous thromboses with pharmacologic and mechanical lysis. Inferior Vena Caval interruption remains the gold standard for the prevention of cardiopulmonary embolus secondary to acute DVT

IVC interruption has come a long way from the initial technique of iliofemoral or caval ligation. This was followed by the evolution of surgical plication and clips, frequently resultin in caval occlusion. The current gold standard Greenfilter was created in the 1970's and placed percutaneously in 1985.

All of the newer filters are designed for percutaneous approach. Currently available filters include the original Greenfield filter (Meditech), the titanium Greenfield filter (Meditech), the 12F stainless steel Greenfield filter (Meditech), the Bird’s Nest filter (Cook Incorporated, Indianapolis, IN), the Gunther Tulip filter (Cook), the Vena Tech filter (B. Braun/Vena Tech, Vanston, IL), the TrapEase filter (Cordis Endovascular, a Johnson & Johnson company, Miami, FL), and the Simon Nitinol filter (Bard Peripheral Technologies, Murray Hill, NJ). Visit EndoVascular Today for more information and a general review

We'll post later this week on innovations in IVC interruption