Potential endovascular prophylaxis for pulmonary thromboembolism in the combined treatment of cancer patients

: Our study was concerned with the role of ultrasound examination of the lower extremity veins to detect deep venous thrombosis and to evaluate complex prophylaxis of thromboembolism of pulmonary arteries (TEPA). The procedure involved vena cava filter placement in patients with neoplasia and high risk of TEPA as compared with controls receiving conservative therapy alone. A positive correlation was established between surgery and/or polychemotherapy, on the one hand, and higher stage and high risk of TEPA, on the other. Patients with deep venous thrombosis and neoplasia were referred to groups of extremely high risk of that pathology. Angiological history, physical examination and ultrasound check-ups of the lower vein must be carried out in cancer patients. Vena cava filter placement proved to be an effective and safe measure of TEPA prophylaxis. It lowered the risk of lethal outcome in 24 during surgery and polychemotherapy. Lethality rate among controls was 43.5 +/- 0.51%.