Right Ventricular Migration and Endovascular Removal of an Inferior Vena Cava Filter

Inferior Vena Cava Filter Migration to the Left Internal Iliac Vein

Inferior vena cava filter placement is an important method for managing deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremities and has a high risk of pulmonary embolism. Filter migration is rare but potentially fatal. We describe a case of migration of an inferior vena cava filter to the left internal iliac vein. The filter perforated the internal iliac vein, resulting in hemorrhagic shock, and was removed with open surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of migration of an inferior vena cava filter to an internal iliac vein.

Right Ventricular Perforation and Subsequent Cardiac Tamponade Caused by IVC Filter Strut Fracture Migration

Cardiac tamponade, if not recognized and treated immediately, is a life threatening condition with various etiologies. Most common causes of cardiac tamponade encountered in emergency rooms are due to trauma, post myocardial infarction wall rupture, cancer and all other causes of pericardial effusion. Iatrogenic causes of cardiac tamponade include anticoagulation and procedures related. Currently there is a general comfort level amongst physicians that inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are not associated with significant complications. However, one of the feared life-threatening immediate complications of IVC filter placement is complete migration of the filter to the heart, with possible risk for cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac tamponade, and death. IVC filter strut fracture and migration to the heart and pulmonary arteries is another possible cause of cardiac tamponade and needs to be added to the differential diagnosis in the setting of tamponade signs and symptoms in a patient with history of IVC filter placement. We present a case of IVC filter strut fracture and migration to the right ventricle with penetration of the free wall causing cardiac tamponade with subsequent successful percutaneous retrieval. We hope to raise awareness through this case of the rare but potentially fatal complications of IVC filter placement and to advise regarding the judicious use of IVC filters.

Inferior vena cava filter misplacement in the right atrium and migration to the right ventricle followed by successful removal using the endovascular technique: A case report and review of the literature

Inferior vena cava filters are effective for preventing the passage of thrombi into the pulmonary arteries in patients with pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis. These filters are indicated in patients with contraindications to anticoagulant therapy or in patients with recurrent acute pulmonary embolism despite the administration of anticoagulant therapy. However, the occurrence of filter-related complications, such as filter migration to the heart, has been increasing. Herein, we report a case of OptEase inferior vena cava filter misplacement in the right atrium. Although the filter migrated to the right ventricle, it was successfully removed and repositioned in the inferior vena cava using endovascular techniques. Unfortunately, moderate tricuspid regurgitation developed, due to the damage to the tricuspid valve that was caused by the procedure. We have also reviewed the relevant literature and discussed the possible strategies for managing cases of filter migration to the heart and preventing filter misplacement.

Incomplete deployment of the Vena Tech LP filter--case series and concerns

The Vena Tech LP vena cava filter (B Braun, Evanston, Illinois) has been FDA approved since 2001 and is a permanent vena cava filtration device. It replaced the previous Vena tech LGM filter also manufactured by B Braun. The LGM filter had 2 case series reporting a high incidence of incomplete deployment of the filter, especially when placed from a jugular approach. Design changes were made to this device and the LP filter introduced. The LP filter has also been reported to have incompletely deployed both in peer reviewed literature as well as the FDA MAUDE website. We present here 3 cases of incomplete deployment of the Vena Tech LP filter and review the cases previously described as well as attempt to present possible etiologies for incomplete deployment.

Vena Cava Filter Insertion and the General Surgery Armamentarium: A 13-Year Experience

The prevention of pulmonary emboli has a long surgical history. Through the development of percutaneous technologies, vena cava filters (VCFs) are now commonly inserted by interventional radiologists. This study reviews our experience with VCFs inserted by general surgeons. We retrospectively reviewed data from our VCF performance improvement database, which is a prospective collection of the VCF experience of the Department of General Surgery from February 1996 to May 2009. Demographics, procedural information, and complications were recorded. Eight hundred fifty-five VCFs were inserted in 853 patients. The mean age was 42.0 years (range, 14 to 90 years). One hundred ninety-seven VCFs were placed in the operating room, and 658 were placed in the intensive care unit. Twelve VCFs were intentionally inserted in a suprarenal position, and four were placed in the superior vena cava. Two patients received both superior vena cava and inferior vena cava filters. Complications included deep vein thrombosis at the insertion site (n = 16), vena cava thrombosis (n = 9), post-VCF pulmonary embolism (n = 2), and a ventricle perforation requiring operative repair (n = 1). No deaths were attributed to the presence of a VCF. Overall insertion success was 99.8 per cent. In two patients, an inferior VCF could not be placed as a result of inferior vena cava occlusion with no safe “landing zone” for deployment. The placement of VCFs is a vital skill in the general surgery armamentarium. Our experience demonstrates that general surgeons can safely insert VCFs with minimal perioperative complications.