Inferior vena cava occlusion secondary to aortic aneurysm

A case of inferior vena caval thrombosis secondary to aortic aneurysm is presented with management guidelines. CT scanning, as well as conventional venography and arteriography, is very useful in understanding this process preoperatively. Intraoperative management should prevent pulmonary embolism and should anticipate the possibility of blood loss in excess of that which usually occurs with an uncomplicated aneurysm repair. Detailed review of the literature reveals this is a rare complication of aneurysm disease and a potentially lethal one.