The inferior vena cava filter is effective in preventing fatal pulmonary embolus after hip and knee arthroplasties.

Thromboembolic disease is a relatively common and potentially devastating complication of joint arthroplasty. Mechanical and chemical prophylaxes are effective in reducing the incidence of this complication. Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters have been used to prevent the propagation and/or migration of venous emboli into the pulmonary circulation. This article reports on a cohort of joint arthroplasty patients either with confirmed pulmonary embolism or at high risk of developing pulmonary emboli in whom an IVC filter was implanted. Using the institutional database, 95 joint arthroplasty patients who received an IVC filter were identified. The IVC filter was effective in preventing fatal pulmonary emboli in all patients. The IVC filter is a valuable and effective modality in preventing a fatal outcome of thromboembolism in patients with established thromboembolism.