title: Migration of a fractured inferior vena cava filter strut to the right ventricle of the heart: a case report.
abstract: A 23 year old woman presented with sudden onset retrosternal chest pain following an attempt to move a heavy object from her vehicle. Multiple fractured struts of an inferior vena cava filter were identified in the distal right and left pulmonary artery branches, and in the free wall of the right ventricle. A small pericardial effusion was noted. Because of the depth of penetration into the right ventricle, it was perceived not to be amenable to endovascular retrieval. Over several days of observation, she continued to have progressive retrosternal and left shoulder pain. She underwent exploratory sternotomy and extraction of a strut that was partially protruding from the right ventricle and abrading the diaphragmatic pericardium. The patient recovered quite well and was discharged on the third postoperative day.
authors.affiliation: Arizona Heart Hospital, 1930 East Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85016, USA. hanishennib@email.com.
authors.forename: Hani
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shennib
authors.affiliation: University of Arizona, College of Medicine - Phoenix, 550 East Van Buren Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA. bradbowles@email.arizona.edu.
authors.forename: Bradley
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bowles
authors.affiliation: University of Arizona, College of Medicine - Phoenix, 550 East Van Buren Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA. kellihickle@email.arizona.edu.
authors.forename: Kelli
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hickle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology; D020878:Device Removal; D005260:Female; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D010496:Pericardium / Q000473:pathology*; D056346:Sternotomy; D016306:Vena Cava Filters / Q000009:adverse effects*