Pulmonary embolism (PE), mostly caused by deep vein thrombosis, is a life-threatening complication in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit. A potential strategy to prevent PE in patients with contraindication for anticoagulant therapy is the implantation of a vena cava filter (VCF), to provide fast and safe PE protection against ascending thrombi. We report the case of a 56-year-old woman with an intracranial hemorrhage, who developed a PE. Because of acute contraindications for anticoagulant therapy, bedside implantation of a new VCF was performed to overcome the period of absolute contraindications for anticoagulation. After explanation, several thrombi were found on the filter.
Keywords: Cerebral hemorrhage; Critical illness; Deep vein thrombosis; Heparin, low-molecular-weight; Prophylaxis, thrombosis.