IVUS-guided VCF Placement: An Alternative Approach to an Increasingly Popular Vena Cava Filter Placement Technique

The number of articles reporting the safety and clinical usefulness of bedside placement of vena cava filters continues to grow.1-6 Critically ill patients with injuries that increase the risk of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are the main indication for this procedure. The concept of bedside placement of vena cava filters brings the filter to the patient, and reduces the risks and inconvenience associated with the transportation of the patient to the operating room or radiology suite. I would like to share our approach and discuss alternative techniques to visualization of the vena cava using standard fluoroscopy.