Rare Complication of Inferior Vena Cava Filter Implantation

Abstract

Inferior vena cava filters are a valid option in treating patients with deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs with contraindication or failure of anticoagulation or in cases of recurrent pulmonary embolism under adequate levels of anticoagulation. It should be recognized that, like any procedure, the implantation of these devices is not without complications, and migration is a rare but potentially severe late complication. The authors present the case of migration of a vena cava filter into the right ventricle in a 54-year-old female patient with a history of arterial hypertension and previous hospitalization for bilateral infrapatellar DVT.