Outcome of a retrieval stent filter and 30mm balloon dilator for patients with Budd–Chiari syndrome and chronic inferior vena cava thrombosis: a prospective pilot study
Received 23 October 2009; received in revised form 20 January 2010; accepted 27 January 2010. published online 14 June 2010.
Aim
To evaluate the mid-term safety and efficacy of a retrieval stent filter and 30mm balloon dilator in the treatment of Budd–Chiari syndrome (BCS) patients with chronic inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis.
Materials and methods
Twenty-three consecutive patients with BCS and chronic IVC thrombosis were treated with a retrieval stent filter and a 30mm balloon dilator, and subsequently underwent color Doppler ultrasound follow-up at our hospital. Data relating to the technical success, angiographic and ultrasound results, mortality, morbidity, and final clinical outcome were collected retrospectively and follow-ups were performed 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after placement of the stent, and annually thereafter.
Results
Stent filter placement and balloon dilation were technically successful in all patients, with no procedure-related complications. Removal of the stent filter was technically successful in 22 of 23 attempts, yielding a technical successful rate of 95.7% (95% confidence intervals (CI): 87%, 105%). Inferior vena cavagrams performed immediately before stent removal demonstrated that the IVC thrombus had completely resolved in all patients without pulmonary embolism. The mean primary patency rate 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after venoplasty was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.79–1.04), 0.87 (95% CI: 0.72–1.02), 0.87 (95% CI: 0.72–1.02), and 0.87 (95% CI: 0.72–1.02), respectively. The secondary patency rates were 1.00 throughout the follow-up period. All patients are alive with resolution of the symptoms at the time of this report.
Conclusions
The preliminary results indicate that the retrieval stent filter and 30mm balloon dilator are a safe and effective treatment for BCS patients with chronic IVC thrombosis.
Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450052, China
Guarantor and correspondent: X.-W. Han, No.1, East Jian She Road, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, 450052, China. Tel.: +86 (0) 371 65165352; fax: +86 (0) 371 66971086.
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