Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a leading cause of mortality after bariatric surgery. We evaluated inferior vena cava (IVC) filter use for PE risk reduction in high-risk super morbidly obese bariatric surgery patients.
Methods: IVC filters were inserted according to the patient's risk factors, including immobility, previous deep venous thrombosis (DVT)/PE, venous stasis, and pulmonary compromise. All filters were placed concomitant to bariatric surgery and were placed through a right internal jugular vein access site. We analyzed the prospectively collected data from this cohort and evaluated the incidence of PE and complications.
Results: Since April 2003, 41 patients (12 men and 29 women) with a mean age of 47.3 +/- 10.0 years and body mass index of 64.2 +/- 12 kg/m2 (range 47-105) underwent IVC filter placement. These and all other patients underwent standard DVT/PE risk reduction measures. All IVC filter patients had one or more significant risk factors for thromboembolic events. No instances of PE were documented, although 1 patient experienced DVT, and no immediate or late complications related to filter placement occurred. One patient, with a body mass index of 105 kg/m2, died secondary to rhabdomyolysis after an extended procedure. The average filter placement time was 34.3 +/- 9 minutes.
Conclusion: IVC filter placement for PE risk reduction is safe and feasible in the super morbidly obese. Our data have shown that the filters can be placed expeditiously and with minimal morbidity concomitant with bariatric surgery. In this limited series, IVC filter placement was associated with no PE. Additional studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of IVC filter placement for PE risk reduction and related mortality in the super morbidly obese.