title: Wire in the heart: fracture and fragment embolization of retrievable inferior vena cava filter into the right ventricle.
abstract: We report a case of a 58-year-old female who was found to have a fractured limb of her IVC filter in her right ventricle during a cardiac catheterization. A 25 mm radioopaque thin linear structure was seen in the proximal portion of the right ventricle. It was fixed and did not migrate or change position during investigations. On fluoroscopy, the IVC filter was observed in an appropriate location in the midabdomen. Yet, fractures of at least two of the metal filamentous legs of the IVC device were noticed. The patient was made aware of the many risks associated with filter removal. Due to the high risks of the procedure, she refused surgery and the filter fragment was not removed. We present this case to underscore the potential complications of IVC filters.
authors.affiliation: Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Upland, PA 19081, USA.
authors.forename: Kshitij
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thakur
authors.affiliation: Nova Southeastern University Health Sciences Division, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA.
authors.forename: Naveen
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5431-2195
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dhawan
authors.affiliation: Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Upland, PA 19081, USA.
authors.forename: Chia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Winchester
authors.affiliation: Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Upland, PA 19081, USA.
authors.forename: Amandeep
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Upland, PA 19081, USA.
authors.forename: Vijay
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bodukam
authors.affiliation: Florida International University (FIU), North Miami Beach, FL 33199, USA.
authors.forename: Jaya
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bahl