Effectiveness and Safety of the Tempofilter II to Prevent the Occurrence of Pulmonary Thromboembolism in Patients with Lower Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Tempofilter II for the prevention of a pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) in patients with lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Between January 2007 and December 2008, thirteen patients with lower extremity DVT whom were implanted with the Tempofilter II to prevent PTE were analyzed. A chest CT was compared before and after filter placement, to evaluate effectiveness of preventing PTE. Clinical symptoms of PTE were checked. Fluoroscopy and a plain radiograph were examined to evaluate filter status. The tempofilter II was successfully inserted in 13 patients. Nine patients underwent endovascular treatment after filter insertion. Trapping of thrombus was evaluated by following CT, venography, and filter retrieval. Trapped thrombus was detected in four patients by CT or retrieved filter. Two patients showed a decrease in thrombus in a follow-up chest CT. Not all patients showed symptoms of PTE. One filter was surgically removed due to the detachment of the anchoring device. The placement and retrieval of the Tempofilter II is feasible and effective for the prophylaxis of PTE in patients with lower extremity DVT; especially for patients that underwent subsequent endovascular treatment