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Updated: May 5, 2026

Stenosis of the Inferior Vena Cava: A Murine Model of Deep Vein Thrombosis
Published on: December 22, 2017
Abdominal aortic aneurysm with inferior vena cava compression in association with deep venous thrombosis
Ryan D Moore1, Elizabeth D Rutter, Daniel R Zapko
1Department of Medicine, University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Abstract:
Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremity may be caused by external compression of the inferior vena cava (IVC) by a neighboring mass. A 55-year-old male presented with 8 months of intermittent left lower extremity swelling and signs of chronic venous stasis. Duplex ultrasound showed extensive DVT in the left leg. Subsequent imaging revealed a 4.2 cm infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) compressing the IVC. In cases of chronic, unilateral DVT, work-up should include imaging for an anatomic cause. AAA is a rare cause of IVC compression with DVT, and is most commonly related to inflammatory AAAs. Previously reported cases of IVC compression by non-inflammatory AAAs have been secondary to large aneurysms (greater than 6 cm). This case illustrates that smaller AAAs lacking hemodynamically significant IVC obstruction may be found in association with DVT.
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