Subject: : Re: Larry Young, Dr. Husted & Choosing Your Surgeon

[Guest guest]

> > How do we know that filters were or were not used?

>

> Hi -

> I'm going to take a flyer on this one. The outcome would indicate

> that they weren't used or are they not 100% effective?

> Best-

> Nick

Nick, they are far from 100% effective.

- SC

[Guest guest]

I think you are referring to a Greenfield catheter that is placed in

the vena cava. (Greenfield Vena Cava Filter)

No they are not 100% effective and there are risks associated with

them. About 23000 were recalled in about 1994 for defects that

caused complications. However they can substantially reduce risk of

PE.

The published outcome reports for patients with Greenfield filters

show a consistent 2-4% incidence of recurrent PE and 96% to 99% caval

patency over a period of almost 30 years. See:

http://www.veithsymposium.org/abstracts/S03-01.htm

Rapid diagnosis and aggressive intervention are necessary when a PE

occurs. Even with the finest interventions, the mortality rate is

high.

in Seattle

>

> I'm going to take a flyer on this one. The outcome would indicate

> that they weren't used or are they not 100% effective?

>