The home-made retrievable ZQL-type vena caval filter: results of a prospective pilot study

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of the home-made retrievable ZQL-type vena cava filter for the prevention of pulmonary embolism. Methods: The filter was implanted via the right jugular vein or the healthy femoral vein in 24 cases of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with/without pulmonary embolism (PE). At the same time, angiography of pulmonary artery was carried out. The abdominal X-ray plane graph was obtained on the third and seventh day after the operation. On the third, 6th, 12th and 18th month after operation, abdominal plane graphs and angiography of inferior vena cava and pulmonary artery were obtained. If the deep vein thrombosis was cleared out completely in 2 weeks, the filter was retrieved after the abdominal plane graph and angiography of the inferior vena cava and pulmonary artery were obtained. Otherwise, the filter was retained. The patients were asked to be followed up as will. All the radiology data of the cases were evaluated by two director physicians by blind way. Results: All the vena cava filters were implanted successfully in the proper position in the 24 cases (suprarenal inferior vena cava filter in 1 case and infrarenal inferior vena caval filter in 23 cases). Two filters were retrieved on the 7th and 9th day,respectively. The mean follow-up period was 6 months. There were no filter migration (>10 mm) and filter tilting (>10 degree). There were no filter fracture and no IVC wall penetration. There was no filter thrombosis except a filter catching a thrombus. There was no obstruction of inferior vena cava and pulmonary embolism. Conclusion: The implantation of the home-made retrievable ZQL-type vena cava filter is simple, the orientation is accurate, and the position of the filter can be regulated. It is a valuable option for clinical application because of its excellent stability and efficacy