Annals of vascular surgery
-
Comparative Study
Retrievable inferior vena cava filters: initial clinical results.
Anticoagulation is the accepted therapy for patients with thromboembolic disease. When contraindications to anticoagulant therapy are present, however, interruption of the inferior vena cava (IVC) may prevent pulmonary embolism (PE). The objective of this study was to report our early technical and clinical results with retrievable IVC filters (IVCFs) for the prevention of PE. ⋯ Forty-five IVCFs were not removed: 41 due to contraindications due to anticoagulation and four because of trapped thrombus within the filter. The role of retrievable IVCFs continues to evolve, but in this study of 127 patients, prophylactic temporary IVCF placement was simple and safe, prevented fatal PE, and served as an effective "bridge" to anticoagulation. Further investigation of this bedside IVUS technique and the role of temporary IVCFs in different patient populations is warranted.
-
Angioedema is a localized swelling of sudden onset, often associated with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor use, that most commonly occurs in the face and neck. We present the case of a patient on long-term ACE inhibitor therapy for hypertension, who developed postoperative angioedema after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The patient was initially misdiagnosed with an expanding cervical hematoma and underwent a surgical wound reexploration. Angioedema is a rare cause of neck swelling and upper airway distress occurring after CEA in patients treated with ACE inhibitors and should be considered in the differential diagnosis.