Percutaneously placed inferior vena cava filter for the prevention of pulmonary emboli: a plea for early insertion.

After surgery or trauma, thrombosis of a lower-extremity vein can lead to potentially fatal pulmonary embolization. Although anticoagulation has traditionally been the preferred method of preventing emboli, this approach is often ineffective or contraindicated. In such cases, partial or complete interruption of the inferior vena cava with a specially designed filter can prevent emboli from reaching the pulmonary circulation. The author reviews the history of vena caval interruption and describes his own experience with this technique, which has the potential for becoming the treatment of choice in the prevention of pulmonary emboli.