Femoral vein patency after percutaneous Greenfield inferior vena cava filter placement

Compared to jugular vein or cutdown approaches, percutaneous right femoral vein puncture affords straightforward venous access and minimal risk of air embolism for Greenfield inferior vena cava filter placement. Concern about possible femoral vein thrombosis after 24-French catheter dilation prompted the authors to examine right femoral vein patency after 12 consecutive filter placements. Doppler evaluation in 11 patients and venography in one showed normal flow characteristics 4-45 days (mean, 16) after the procedure. The authors' results indicate that the risk of femoral vein thrombosis after dilation to a size 24-French catheter is low