A novel way to reduce thrombus build-up in vena cava filters

Objectives and background: The build-up of thromboses in vena cava filters after deployment presents serious problem to the patients. We proposed a novel way to overcome this problem in a belief that intentionally induced swirling flow can optimize blood flow patterns in Vena cava filters, enhance the stirring motion of flow, in turn accelerate the dissolution of blood clots captured in the filter and facilitate blood to flow pass through the filters. Methods: In this study, we experimentally compared the work efficiency of a vena cava filter under swirling flow condition with that of the same filter under normal flow condition. Results: The results show that when compared to the normal flow, the swirling flow indeed has a significantly beneficial effect on a VCF which can decrease its flow-out time nearly 40% and reduce clot build-up in the filter more than 50%. Conclusions: We therefore believe that the design of an ideal VCF should take how to create swirling flow in the filter into the consideration. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.