Thrombolytic Therapy and Aspiration of Clots were Effective in the Removal of a Transient Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) Filter that Captured a Large Thrombus

Intern Med. 2017;56(11):1369-1373. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.56.8175. Epub 2017 Jun 1.

Abstract

A 37-year-old woman presented at 37 weeks of gestation with a history of heaviness in her left leg. Enhanced computed tomography revealed a left extensive ileofemoral thrombus, and we employed a transient inferior vena cava (IVC) filter (t-IVCF) before delivery. Although we attempted to remove the t-IVCF on the day after delivery, a large thrombus was captured in the filter. We therefore performed thrombolytic therapy for one week, but a few small clots remained within the t-IVCF. We were ultimately able to remove the t-IVCF under constant negative pressure by aspiration from a side-hole of the sheath. We herein describe the effectiveness of this aspiration technique in our case.

Keywords: IVC filter; aspiration; deep vein thrombosis; pregnancy; thrombolytic therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Thrombolytic Therapy / methods*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Vena Cava Filters*
  • Venous Thrombosis / therapy*