title: Inferior vena cava filter migration to the right ventricle.
abstract: Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement is recommended for acute proximal deep venous thrombosis if anticoagulation is contraindicated. A 52-year-old man presented with weakness, dyspnea, syncope, and renal failure 8 months after IVC filter placement. Imaging revealed migration of the IVC filter to the right ventricle. Endovascular retrieval was not feasible, thus surgical extraction and tricuspid valve repair was performed. IVC filter migration to the heart is a rare, but a potentially life-threatening complication. Retrieval can be accomplished using endovascular or open surgical technique.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Arminder S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Jassar
authors.forename: Saila P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Nicotera
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Vernick
authors.forename: Wilson Y
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Szeto
mesh_terms: D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004452:Echocardiography; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016306:Vena Cava Filters / Q000009:adverse effects*