Prevalence of fracture and fragment embolization of Bard retrievable vena cava filters and clinical implications including cardiac perforation and tamponade.
BACKGROUND
Vena cava filters represent an alternative treatment option for patients with contraindications to anticoagulation, or they might serve as adjunctive treatment for continued emboli despite anticoagulation. The fracture of a filter strut with subsequent end-organ embolization is a rarely reported but potentially life-threatening occurrence.


METHODS
We sought to determine the prevalence of fracture and embolization of the Bard Recovery (first generation) and the Bard G2 (second generation) vena cava filters. A retrospective, single-center, cross-sectional study was conducted by evaluating all patients who received either a Bard Recovery or Bard G2 filter from April 2004 until January 2009. A total of 189 patients had undergone implantation: 1 pregnant woman and 35 patients who died were excluded from our study. In addition, 10 patients who had the filter removed were also excluded. Ultimately, 80 patients participated in the trial. Subjects underwent fluoroscopy to assess the filter's integrity. Embolized struts were localized by fluoroscopy. Echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography were performed in patients with fragment embolization to the heart.


RESULTS
Thirteen of 80 patients had at least 1 strut fracture (16%). At least 1 strut in 7 of the 28 Bard Recovery filters fractured and embolized (25%). In 5 of these 7 cases, patients had at least 1 fragment embolize to the heart (71%). Three patients experienced life-threatening symptoms of ventricular tachycardia and/or tamponade, including 1 patient who experienced sudden death at home. Six of 52 Bard G2 filters fractured (12%). In 2 of these 6 cases, the patients had asymptomatic end-organ fragment embolization.


CONCLUSIONS
The Bard Recovery and Bard G2 filters had high prevalences of fracture and embolization, with potentially life-threatening sequelae.
Nicholson
William
W
Department of Cardiology, York Hospital, York, Pennsylvania, USA. wjnichmd2@aol.com
Nicholson
W Jay
WJ
Tolerico
Paul
P
Taylor
Bradley
B
Solomon
Samuel
S
Schryver
Thomas
T
McCullum
Kevin
K
Goldberg
Howard
H
Mills
James
J
Schuler
Brian
B
Shears
Larry
L
Siddoway
Lyle
L
Agarwal
Nikhilesh
N
Tuohy
Christopher
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D020878:Device Removal; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016306:Vena Cava Filters; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult