Nonsurgical Inferior Vena Cava Obstruction for Prevention of Pulmonary Emboli

Four acutely ill patients with multiple, recurrent pulmonary emboli, despite adequate anticoagulation therapy, have had the Mobin-Uddin inferior vena cava filter implanted at the time of diagnostic cardiac catheterization. In each patient, clinical improvement has occurred without significant morbidity, and there has been no instance of repeated major pulmonary embolization. This new device can be inserted quickly and safely in acutely ill patients without need for extensive surgery or general anesthesia. This report documents the clinical course of the patients, and the potential advantages of the method.