Percutaneous removal of a Bard Simon nitinol permanent inferior vena cava filter.

Abstract

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are used to treat thromboembolic disease when there is a contraindication to anticoagulation or failure of therapeutic anticoagulation therapy. Although there are retrievable IVC filters available, permanent IVC filters remain the most commonly placed IVC filters worldwide. Permanent IVC filters have been associated with long-term complications such as IVC thrombosis and obstruction, migration, and erosion into surrounding structures. Such complications may require removal of permanent IVC filters, which has been previously described with open surgery involving venotomy of the IVC. We report a case of a Bard Simon Nitinol permanent IVC filter that was removed by using percutaneous endovascular techniques.