The Mobin-Uddin umbrella filter in the management of proven and threatened pulmonary embolism.

An umbrella filter was inserted into the inferior vena cava in 8 patients with proven or threatened pulmonary embolism. The technique was found to be simple and without major complication in this small series. Two patients died of their primary disease and a further 2 died of lung complications secondary to their initial embolism. The remaining 4 patients have been followed up for periods ranging from 2 to 11 months.