Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 1999 Nov;54(11):759-64.
doi: 10.1016/s0009-9260(99)91180-7.

Long-term follow-up of the Bird's Nest IVC Filter

A A Nicholson  1 , D F Ettles, A J Paddon, J F Dyet
Affiliations

Long-term follow-up of the Bird's Nest IVC Filter

A A Nicholson et al. Clin Radiol. 1999 Nov.

Abstract

Aim: This study is a long-term clinical follow-up of the Bird's Nest Filter which addresses issues such as caval patency, filter integrity, morbidity and mortality.

Materials and methods: 78 consecutive patients with Bird's Nest Filters inserted between 1989 and 1994 were recalled for clinical assessment and imaging follow-up. Pre- and post-filter medical histories were obtained from the patients and their medical records. They were examined for clinical signs of inferior vena cava occlusion. Imaging follow-up was by plain abdominal radiography, colour duplex ultrasound and computed tomography.

Results: 52 patients were alive and well at 4-6 years. Thirty-day mortality was 5.1%. Three-year mortality was 19.2%. Recurrent pulmonary embolus occurred in 1.3%. IVC occlusion was demonstrated in 4.7%. No evidence of filter migration was seen. Wire prolapse occurred in 70% on abdominal X-ray and asymptomatic performation of the caval wall in 85.3% on CT. Morbidity and mortality were the same whether the patient was anticoagulated or not.

Conclusion: The Bird's Nest Filter is safe and effective in both the short and long term.

PubMed Disclaimer