Objective: To explore the characteristic, diagnosis and treatment of deep venous thromboembolism (DVT) patients with congenital double inferior vena cava.
Methods: Retrospective analyses were conducted for the indications, filter types and efficacies of vena cava filter insertion in 7 hospitalized DVT patients with congenital double inferior vena at our hospital from 2006 to 2012.
Results: All of them had definite indications for vena cava filter insertion. Temporary and permanent vena caval filters were implanted in one subject while retrievable vena caval filters in another five subjects. One retrievable filter was replaced by a permanent filter due to excessive thrombus entrapped in filter. Other temporary or retrievable filters were extracted successfully. All subjects were prescribed postoperatively with oral anticoagulants. The follow-up period was 1-72 months. No recurrent DVT or pulmonary embolism occurred.
Conclusion: The complications of double inferior vena cava in DVT subjects are often misdiagnosed due to its low incidence rate and a lack of clinical manifestations. Fatal pulmonary embolism after implantation may be due to an inappropriate location of filter implant. If implanted in a proper position, satisfactory outcomes ensue.