The Bird's Nest inferior vena caval filter: review of a single-center experience.

PURPOSE: To examine a large single-center experience with Bird's Nest vena caval filters for indications, clinically evident recurrent thromboembolic disease, and other filter-related complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a 6-year period, 308 patients underwent percutaneous placement of an inferior vena caval filter. The 267 patients who received a Bird's Nest filter are the subject of this retrospective review. The series included 162 men and 105 women who ranged in age from 16 to 88 years (mean, 57.1 +/- 17.0 standard deviation).

RESULTS: Indications for filter placement included contraindication to anticoagulation (n = 141), complication of anticoagulation (n = 23), failure of anticoagulation (n = 30), failure of previously placed filter (n = 1), and prophylaxis (n = 82). Ten patients had more than one indication. Acute lower extremity deep venous thrombosis was confirmed in 133 patients, pulmonary embolism (PE) was found in 44 patients, and both were positively diagnosed in 37 other patients. Fifty-three patients had no documented acute thromboembolic disease at the time of insertion. Mean follow-up was 13 months. Thirty-day mortality was 9.7%, including one death from recurrent PE and one major puncture-site bleeding episode that may have contributed to death. Recurrent PE was found at radionuclide scanning or autopsy in three patients (1.1%), whereas another eight patients (3.0%) had suspected recurrent PE without confirmatory studies. Eight patients (3.0%) developed early venous access site thrombosis, including two who progressed to phlegmasia cerulea dolens with fatal complications. Significant nonthromboembolic problems were encountered in 1.9% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS: The Bird's Nest filter is a safe and effective device for patients with complicated venous thromboembolic disease.