Long-term follow-up of the antheor inferior vena cava filter.

The first long-term follow-up of the use of the Antheor inferior vena cava (IVC) filter is presented. Between December 1994 and December 1996, 20 Antheor IVC filters were inserted. Seven patients subsequently died and of the 13 patients remaining alive, 11 were available for long-term follow-up. One death was due to migration of the filter to the main pulmonary artery 6 weeks after insertion and because of this case, and other similar reports, the filter has now been withdrawn from clinical use. Of the 11 filters assessed at follow-up, three were fractured. One filter contained thrombus and one IVC was occluded. Our experience highlights the problem of central migration, but also shows a high incidence of filter fracture which has not previously been described with this design of filter.