Insertion of inferior vena caval filter and thromboembolic phenomenon.

Thromboembolic phenomena are common in the elderly population and their consequences can be life threatening. Although anticoagulants are the mainstay of therapy, there are conditions in which their use is contraindicated. Alternative therapeutic options involve the use of more invasive techniques to prevent major thromboembolic incidents. We describe a case in which a modified Greenfield titanitim filter was inserted into the inferior venacava to prevent recurrent pulmonary emboli from iliofemoral venous thrombosis. Anticoagulants were contraindicated due to the presence of a haemorrhagic gastritis.