Temporary use of a Bird's Nest filter during iliocaval thrombolysis

Trends in management of phlegmasia cerulea dolens

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens (PCD) is a fulminant condition of acute massive venous thrombosis that may result in major amputation or death unless treated in an early phase. Guidelines for treatment are still not clearly documented. As a consequence, physicians might have limited knowledge of this potential life-threatening condition and its clinical course. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to analyze and summarize clinical manifestations and proposed diagnostic approach, factors that affect the outcome of PCD, and the evolution of management and therapeutic options. Underlying malignancy, pulmonary embolism, and PCD severity are the vital factors that predict the outcome of PCD. In the last decades, treatment options have remained largely unchanged. Published evidence shows that advances in minimally invasive techniques have not yet resulted in outcome improvements compared with traditional surgical thrombectomy. Treatment seems to depend on grading the severity of this condition and experience of the surgeon.

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens: rare complication of vena cava filter placement in man with paraplegia

OBJECTIVE

To describe a complication of placement of an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter in a man with paraplegia.

DESIGN

Case report.

PARTICIPANTS/METHODS

A 48-year-old man with T11 paraplegia secondary to an L1 burst fracture underwent thoracic spinal fusion. The postoperative course was complicated by deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the right common femoral vein, which was treated with warfarin.

RESULTS

During rehabilitation, the hematocrit declined, and fluctuance was noted along the surgical site. Computed tomographic scan suggested a hematoma in the paraspinal and latissimus dorsi muscles. Warfarin was discontinued, and an IVC filter was placed. He subsequently developed severe leg pain, followed by hypotension, acute renal failure, and compartment syndrome in bilateral lower extremities requiring fasciotomies. Ultrasound and computed tomographic angiogram showed extensive bilateral lower extremity DVTs and pulmonary emboli. The diagnosis of cerulea dolens was made. Mechanical and pharmacological thrombectomy was aborted secondary to bleeding complications and hypotension. The patient died shortly after care was withdrawn at the family's request. The autopsy revealed multiple thrombi in IVC, bilateral pelvic and femoral veins, and left pulmonary artery embolus, consistent with phlegmasia cerulea dolens.

CONCLUSIONS

Inferior vena cava filters may prevent pulmonary embolism but do not affect the underlying thrombotic process. An IVC filter should be recognized as a possible thrombogenic nidus in patients with spinal cord injury who have known DVT.

Invasive approaches to treatment of venous thromboembolism

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs in one-quarter of a million individuals annually in the United States and results in significant disability from pulmonary embolism and chronic venous insufficiency, especially when the proximal iliofemoral is involved. Treatment has centered on early institution of adequate anticoagulation to prevent thrombus propagation and embolism, but anticoagulation alone does not always restore venous patency and many patients are left with venous outflow obstruction and valvular incompetence-the anatomic underpinnings of the postthrombotic syndrome. Various strategies have been used to restore patency of thrombosed veins, including open surgical thrombectomy, pharmacological thrombolysis, and percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy. Each modality has benefits and shortcomings. Surgical thrombectomy had previously been abandoned secondary to poor long-term results. More recently, with improved techniques and better patient selection, surgical thrombectomy has regained a therapeutic role in treating acute DVT in young patients with short segment occlusions. The advent of percutaneous techniques has allowed thrombolysis, percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy, and stenting to be used in conjunction with each other-allowing for better resolution of venous clot burden than when an individual modality is used alone. Practitioners who treat patients with DVT should be familiar with all the options available to restore venous patency, preserve valvular function, and thereby minimize the risk of late postthrombotic complications.

Retrievable vena cava filter placement during treatment for deep venous thrombosis

The purpose of our study is to evaluate the safety of insertion and removal of the retrievable vena cava filter and the efficacy of this filter in preventing pulmonary embolism during treatment of stenosis or obstruction of the lower extremity due to deep venous thrombosis. We retrospectively evaluated placement of 10 filters in 6 patients with lower extremity deep venous thrombosis who had undergone various treatments, including those utilizing techniques of interventional radiology. Worsening of or the new formation of pulmonary embolism was prevented in all patients. All attempts at both implantation and retrieval of the filter were safely accomplished. No complication related to filter placement occurred. Filters were left in the vena cava for permanent use when deep venous thrombosis was refractory to treatment. These results demonstrate that both placement and removal of the retrievable vena cava filter can be accomplished safely and that this type of filter is useful to prevent pulmonary embolism during treatment of deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremity. Further, the use of a retrievable vena cava filter might be preferred over that of a temporary vena cava filter, especially if further implantation of a filter becomes necessary since replacement with a permanent filter would not be required when using a retrievable vena cava filter.

Update on inferior vena cava filters

The ravages of thromboembolic disease continue to plague patients despite improvements in diagnostic imaging and anticoagulation regimens. In certain cases, standard medical therapy for thromboembolism is contraindicated, results in complications, or fails to adequately protect patients from embolic insults. These patients are treated with insertion of inferior vena cava (IVC) filters. Although it appears that IVC filters do reduce long-term pulmonary embolism (PE) rates, there may be a higher associated incidence of IVC thrombosis and lower-extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) than with anticoagulation alone. This article will address attributes of the theoretical ideal IVC filter, recently introduced IVC filters, complications of use of IVC filters, and results of recent IVC filter studies. Alternative sites for filter placements are then reviewed, along with use of temporary and retrievable IVC filters and use of IVC filters for prophylactic situations.

Initial experience in humans with a new retrievable inferior vena cava filter

PURPOSE

To evaluate preliminary clinical experience in humans with the Recovery nitinol filter (RNF) for the inferior vena cava, especially the efficacy of the device and safety of its retrieval.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-two patients were followed up to assess for filter efficacy and for ability to remove the filter.

RESULTS

Sixteen men and 16 women aged 18-83 years (mean, 53 years) underwent treatment with the RNF. Indications for placement were recent pulmonary embolism (n = 16), recent deep venous thrombosis (n = 20), and/or prophylaxis (n = 2). Four patients had contraindications to anticoagulant therapy, and four had complications from anticoagulant therapy. The filter was successfully placed in 32 patients. In 24 (100%) of 24 patients, the filter was successfully retrieved with a jugular approach. The mean implantation period was 53 days (range, 5-134 days). Trapped thrombus was seen within the filter in seven cases. In one patient with a large trapped thrombus, the filter was noted to have migrated 4 cm cephalad. There were no episodes of pulmonary embolism or insertion-site thrombosis.

CONCLUSION

This preliminary experience in humans confirms the efficacy of the RNF. It also demonstrates the feasibility and safety of retrieval up to 134 days after implantation.

Günther Tulip filter: preliminary clinical experience with retrieval

PURPOSE

The Günther Tulip filter is a permanent filter that has a hook to permit retrieval. The authors report their preliminary clinical evaluation of the filter with regard to feasibility and safety of retrieval.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nine men and six women who ranged in age from 17 to 79 years (mean, 51 years) underwent treatment with use of the Günther Tulip filter. Patients judged to require caval interruption for < 14 days were selected to receive the filter and retrieval was planned for all patients. Indications for filter placement were: recent pulmonary embolism (PE) or proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with a contraindication to anticoagulation (11 patients), massive PE treated with thrombolytic therapy (one patient), PE with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (one patient), and prophylaxis after major trauma (two patients). Patients were followed for inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis, bleeding, and recurrent DVT or PE.

RESULTS

In all nine patients in whom it was attempted, the filter was successfully snared and retrieved via a jugular approach. The mean implantation period was 8.6 days (range, 5-13 days). Retrieval required 2.2-13 minutes (mean 5.3 minutes) of fluoroscopy. No caval injuries occurred as a result of retrieval. All retrieved filters had strands of organized thrombus on the filter struts. The patients were followed for 52-285 days (mean, 115 days) after retrieval. One patient developed a recurrent DVT 230 days after retrieval. No other patients developed a recurrent DVT and no patients developed IVC thrombosis, bleeding, or PE. Six filters were not retrieved: five because of an ongoing contraindication to anticoagulation and one because the patient died of causes unrelated to the filter.

CONCLUSION

This preliminary study confirms the feasibility and safety of retrieval of the Günther Tulip filter up to 13 days after implantation.

Fatal outcome in atrial migration of the Tempofilter

PURPOSE

To report the risk of fatal atrial migration with the Tempofilter.

METHODS

Among temporary filters, the high safety profile Tempofilter has been marketed as offering protection for up to 6 weeks. We implanted about 60 Tempofilters to prevent pulmonary embolism. The main indications were temporary thromboembolic risk, recurrent pulmonary embolism, and contraindication to or failure of anticoagulant therapy. Follow-up was performed regularly by plain abdominal film and Doppler ultrasound. Filters were removed about 4 weeks after placement.

RESULTS

We encountered three cases (5%) of atrial migration and one case of 5-cm cephalad displacement of the filter. Of the three patients with atrial migration, two died within 3 days of implantation, one from a massive pulmonary embolism and the other with cardiac tamponade. One patient did not show any serious complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The Tempofilter may actively migrate cranially and become dangerous in the case of migration within the heart.

Retrievable IVC square stent filter: experimental study

PURPOSE

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of a new retrievable, home-made, inferior vena cava (IVC) Square stent filter (SSF) with two trapping levels.

METHODS

In vitro, the SSF was compared in a flow model with the stainless steel Greenfield filter (SGF) for emboli-trapping efficiency by serially passing 300 emboli of 3 and 6 mm in diameter and 15-30 mm in length in each type of filter. Nine swine were used for the in vivo testing of the SSF for deployment and retrievability, emboli-trapping efficiency, stability, and self-centering ability and two were used (total of 11 swine) for testing repositioning and retrievability of the SSF at 2 weeks and for gross and histologic IVC changes at 2 months.

RESULTS

In vitro, the SSF and SGF had similar efficiency in trapping large emboli but the SSF had significantly better efficiency than the SGF for trapping all sizes of emboli (91.7% vs 81%), medium size emboli (93% vs 80%), and small emboli (86% vs 69%). Efficiency decreased in both filters from the first to the fifth embolus in each series but was still significantly better for the SSF. With the SSF, 89% of emboli were caught at the primary and 11% at the secondary filtration level. In the nine animals used for acute studies, the SSF was easily placed in all 27 attempts, assumed a central position 26 times, and was easily retrieved in 21 of 22 attempts. One tilted filter needed additional manipulation for retrieval. During emboli injection in five swine, the SSF had 97.2% emboli-trapping efficiency and demonstrated good stability. In the two animals used for longer-term evaluation, the filters were easily retrieved 2 weeks after implantation. Histologic evaluation at 2 months showed neointimal proliferation around the SSF wires in contact with the IVC wall, which was otherwise normal.

CONCLUSION

The SSF is a promising filter. It is easy to place and retrieve, is stable after placement, and has high efficiency for trapping emboli. Promising results justify further experimental and eventual clinical studies with a commercially manufactured SSF.

Transcatheter regional urokinase therapy in the management of inferior vena cava thrombosis

PURPOSE

To study the efficacy of local infusion of urokinase (UK) in the treatment of symptomatic inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight patients (five men and three women) who ranged in age from 19 years to 75 years (mean, 56 years) with symptomatic IVC thrombosis underwent local catheter-directed infusion of UK with use of up to three access sites. Infrarenal IVC thrombus and iliac vein thrombus was identified in all patients. Four patients had extension of thrombus proximal to the renal veins. Seven of eight patients had at least one risk factor for IVC thrombosis: hypercoagulable state (n = 3), IVC filter (n = 3), malignancy (n = 2), recent surgery (n = 2), and oral contraceptive use (n = 1). No serious procedure-related complications were encountered, although one patient died 5 days after UK therapy of pulmonary failure due to advanced lung cancer. UK was infused for an average of 79 hours (range, 24-140 hours) and a mean total dose of 7.4 million U of UK (range, 2.9-14.4 million U). Adjunctive balloon angioplasty was performed in three patients. No vascular stents were placed. Clinical and/or radiographic follow-up was obtained in all eight patients.

RESULTS

Thrombolysis was successful in seven of eight (88%) IVCs with no or minimal residual thrombus. The remaining seven patients had no lower extremity swelling 2-24 months (mean, 11 months) after the procedure. Three of seven patients had computed tomographic or venographic follow-up (mean, 9 months; range, 1.5-15 months), demonstrating unchanged or improved IVC patency.

CONCLUSIONS

Transcatheter regional infusion of UK for re-establishing venous patency in acute IVC thrombosis appears to be effective with good short-term and mid-term clinical benefit.