Zifman E et al. - Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters seem to be protective against recurrent pulmonary emboli (PE) in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) patients but the true extent of their efficacy requires further study. Methods
A retrospective evaluation of the value of IVC filter placement as prophylaxis against recurrent PR in APS pts
10 pts suffering from APS were identified who despite anticoagulation treatment, had recurrent thromboembolic events
All of them underwent placement of an IVC filter
Their medical files were examined for further recurrences
Results
Only 1/10 pt had a documented PE following the intervention
The remaining pts had no evidence of PE after the filter insertion
5/10 pts died, 2 of them suddenly
In those 2 pts, the cause of death was unknown, but PE could not be excluded
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