EVOLUTION OF A NEW DEVICE FOR THE PREVENTION OF PULMONARY-EMBOLISM

The embolus trap (ET) is a new device that interrupts the inferior ven a cava (IVC) for the prevention of pulmonary embolism. It has a centra l column from which six wires extend in two tiers. The adjacent wires are formed into loops with hooks at the distal ends that grip the vein wall. Each tier contains three wire loops, and the loops are staggere d circumferentially between the tiers. The ET was implanted into the I VC in 26 dogs via a femora or jugular venotomy. IVC patency was evalua ted by venacavagrams. Autologous clots were embolized via the femoral vein to test the efficacy of the ET. The animals were followed for 1 t o 4 months prior to postmortem examination. The ET remained patent in all animals and consistently trapped the thromboemboli while preservin g blood flow. Lysis of the trapped emboli was observed in 4 to 6 weeks . There was no evidence of malpositioning, penetration through the vei n wall, or migration of the ET.