Five-Year Experience With the Moretz Vena Caval Clip in 62 Patients

Abstract

THIS report deals with the treatment of pulmonary embolism by the application of the partially occlusive Mortez¹ clip to the inferior vena cava in 62 patients over a five-year period. The effectiveness of the clip in controlling recurrent pulmonary emboli was evaluated. The patency of the inferior vena cava has been determined in 31 of 43 patients surviving six months or more, and the degree of venous insufficiency has been examined. The Moretz clip is but one of many nonligation techniques described which offer the theoretical advantage of inferior vena caval patency while protecting the patient against a fatal pulmonary embolus.¹ There have been many reports dealing with the various methods of achieving this using a filter,² plication with suture,³ or staples,⁴ or with a clip, with⁵ or without compartmentalization.¹ It seemed apparent that more information was needed to evaluate the long-term caval