Inferior Vena Cava Filter Migrated to Left Ventricle

Heart Surg Forum. 2021 Jun 25;24(3):E587-E588. doi: 10.1532/hsf.3853.

Abstract

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters have been widely used to prevent pulmonary emboli in patients with venous thromboembolism. Here we report a rare case of complete pericardial tamponade with severe mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation due to a fractured IVC filter. A 38-year-old male came to our emergency department with a 19-day history of progressive chest tightness. Chest x-ray revealed a tethering catheter fractured at the level of the junction of the superior vena cava and the right atrium. We performed open surgery and discovered that a steel wire had punctured the atrioventricular septum, the mitral valve, and finally the posterior wall of the left ventricle. The patient recovered quite well and was discharged after 1 week.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cardiac Surgical Procedures / methods*
  • Device Removal / methods*
  • Echocardiography
  • Foreign-Body Migration / complications*
  • Foreign-Body Migration / diagnosis
  • Foreign-Body Migration / surgery
  • Heart Injuries / diagnosis
  • Heart Injuries / etiology*
  • Heart Injuries / surgery
  • Heart Ventricles*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Reoperation
  • Vena Cava Filters / adverse effects*
  • Venous Thromboembolism / prevention & control*