A fractured inferior vena cava filter strut migrating to the left pulmonary artery

Tamer Hudali; Ali Zayed; Bernard Karnath

doi:10.1016/j.rmcr.2015.06.002

A fractured inferior vena cava filter strut migrating to the left pulmonary artery

Respir Med Case Rep. 2015 Jun 12:16:3-6. doi: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2015.06.002. eCollection 2015.

Authors

Tamer Hudali¹, Ali Zayed¹, Bernard Karnath¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.

Abstract

Inferior vena cava filters are increasingly used in patients with recurrent venous thromboembolism who are contraindicated to anticoagulation. Migration of a broken strut to the pulmonary artery is a very rare complication of these filters. We report the case of an 83-year-old female who experienced this complication with the migratory strut remaining in the same position for years. This case provides evidence that such filters probably have higher rates of complications than what has been thought that remain asymptomatic. The indications and the management of complications of such devices need to be studied further.

Keywords: CT, computed tomography; DVT, deep vein thrombosis; Filter complication; Filter fracture; IV, intravenous; IVC filters; IVC, inferior vena cava; PE, pulmonary embolism; RV, right ventricle.

Publication types

Case Reports