Vena cava filter ensnarement and delayed migration: An unusual series of cases

• Published in: Journal of vascular surgery Vol. 26; no. 5; pp. 869 - 874
• Main Authors: Dardik, Alan, Campbell, Kurtis A., Yeo, Charles J., Lipsett, Pamela A.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Mosby, Inc 01.11.1997; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Female; Foreign-Body Migration; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Retrospective Studies; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Time Factors; Vascular surgery: aorta, extremities, vena cava. Surgery of the lymphatic vessels; Vena Cava Filters - adverse effects; Human; Radiography; Guide; Treatment; Radiodiagnosis; Filter; Surgery; Migration; Complication; Wire; Partial occlusion; Inferior vena cava
• ISSN: 0741-5214; 1097-6809
• DOI: 10.1016/S0741-5214(97)70102-2

Purpose: To review delayed and guidewire-induced morbidity associated with vena cava filters. Methods: The records from the Johns Hopkins Hospital, a tertiary care referral center, of all patients who had vena cava filter complications from August 1993 through July 1996 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Five patients had filter migration or ensnarement with a guidewire. One patient had delayed extrusion of a filter strut into the duodenum. Four patients had filters ensnared by guidewires, including one during initial filter placement and one several years after placement. Conclusions: Delayed complications of vena cava filters should be considered whenever unusual patient signs or symptoms cannot be easily explained, even in the absence of a history of filter placement. To prevent guidewire ensnarement of filters, simple techniques should modify endovascular procedures when vena cava filters are present. (J Vasc Surg 1997;26:869-74.)