Transvenous devices for the management of pulmonary embolism.

When anticoagulant treatment of pulmonary embolism is contraindicated or fails, interruption of blood flow through the inferior vena cava offers an alternative method for preventing further embolic episodes. In the past this required abdominal surgery, but currently several clot-capturing devices have been designed for insertion into the human inferior vena cava indirectly via a jugular or femoral venotomy. Another device is being developed for percutaneous delivery through a standard angiographic catheter. In addition to variations in the delivery methods, the form, mechanical effectiveness, and complications of these differ markedly. A suction-cup device is also available for the transvenous removal of pulmonary emboli.