[Early and late results in the prevention of pulmonary embolism and caval patency after implantation of caval clips according to Adams--De Weese as compared to Mobin-Uddin umbrella filters (author's transl)].

A collective of 56 female and 54 male patients between 15 and 78 years were operated to prevent pulmonary embolism. 27 umbrella filters and 83 vena cava clips were implanted. Postoperative mortality was 15 per cent after umbrella filter implantation as compared to 0 per cent after clip application. 35 clip and 9 filter implantations were followed up by cavographic examination. Venograms were classified in three types according to caval patency. A significantly higher number of complications were observed after filter implantation. On the basis of a flow physics hypothesis an explanation is suggested for the liability to caval thrombosis after filter implantation. An evaluation of both operative methods and their indications is given.