An in vitro comparison of the hemodynamics of two inferior vena cava filters.

PURPOSE: The effectiveness of an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter in preventing pulmonary embolism while preserving caval flow is significantly affected by its hemodynamic characteristics. Flow fields surrounding two types of IVC filters were compared to assess how the design of a filter may influence performance.

METHODS: The 12F Titanium Greenfield and VenaTech LGM inferior vena cava filters were studied in vitro with a noninvasive flow visualization technique, the photochromic flow visualization and measurement technique. Axial velocity profiles and wall shear stress distributions were measured. These results were compared with analytical data corresponding to the flow field in the absence of a filter to determine the relative extent of the flow disturbances.

RESULTS: The reductions in near-wall axial velocity and wall shear stress caused by the VenaTech filter were more extensive and severe than those caused by the Greenfield filter. These changes were the consequence of differences in the geometry and dimensions of the struts of the two filters. The measurements showed the flow fields to be laminar, with no evidence of turbulence in both cases.

CONCLUSION: Two factors that have been linked to thrombogenesis, near-wall velocity and wall-shear stress, were significantly affected by the larger frontal profile area of the VenaTech filter. Although a larger area may increase clot-trapping efficiency, as shown by previous studies, the reduced near-wall velocities and wall shear stresses may increase the potential for thrombogenesis and, thus, caval occlusion. In contrast to other in vitro flow visualization studies, no turbulence was observed with either filter.