Oversized inferior vena cava: use of a single Vena Tech--LGM filter.

The authors describe placement of the LG-Medical filter (B. Braun/Vena Tech, Evanston, Ill.) in four patients with an oversized inferior vena cava. The corrected caval diameter at the level of the most inferior renal vein was greater than 28 mm in each patient. However, in each case the vena cava tapered inferiorly to a segment with a diameter less than 28 mm, and the filter was placed at this site. Filter placement was accomplished without difficulty or complication in all cases. One patient died of underlying disease. The three surviving patients were followed for 119 to 374 (mean 276) days. There was no evidence of filter migration, recurrent pulmonary embolism, occlusion of the venacava, access-site thrombosis or other complication. The authors concluded that placement of bi-iliac filters can be avoided by this technique.