Endovascular management of IVC syndrome after IVC filter placement

Abstract

Approximately 60 000-100 000 Americans die from deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism annually, while the overall estimate of individuals affected is 30 000-600 000. Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement has emerged as a break-through endovascular technique which has gained increasing acceptance and has probably saved thousands of lives by preventing fatal thromboembolic events. However, in the absence of a national IVC filter registry an accurate estimate of device complications is currently unavailable. We present a case of symptomatic IVC syndrome due to IVC interruption in a patient with a non-retrievable IVC filter. This patient was initially managed with balloon angioplasty and mechanical thrombectomy with suboptimal results and subsequently with stent placement through the IVC filter. (C) 2014 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.