Vázquez LF, Jordán GJ

Language: Spanish
References: 0
Page: 276-291
PDF size: 85.38 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Vena cava filters are special metallic devices designed specially to be placed in the inferior vena cava before imminent risk of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. They were described, and used for the first time in 1967, in United States of America. The filters can be placed via femoral or jugular vein, and produce a partial mechanical disruption of the inferior vena cava flow. There are 3 kinds of filters in the market, they are: permanent, removable and mix type. The key factor of any filter is the clot trapping capacity, vena cava access and occlusion capacity, embolization or migration risk, mechanical integrity, and placement feasibility. Complications of the filters may occur immediately or in a long term, with an average of 0.3 % major complications, and less than 0.2 % mortality rate. In spite of its proven benefits, yet, this technique has not been reported or implemented in Cuba. Because of their importance, we hope that in a near future it would be possible to introduce placement of vena cava filters in Cuban patients, who are our main concern.