Complex hybrid suprarenal inferior vena cava filter retrieval

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Interventional Radiology
• Cardiology

Background:

• Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement is increasing, leading to a rise in associated complications during both implantation and retrieval procedures.
• Complications during IVC filter retrieval can be severe, impacting patient safety and requiring innovative solutions.

Observation:

• A 64-year-old male patient presented with cardiac tamponade following an attempted suprarenal IVC filter removal at an outside facility.
• The complication stemmed from a snare device eroding into the right atrium during the retrieval attempt.

Findings:

• A novel hybrid retrieval technique was successfully employed to remove the entangled suprarenal IVC filter.
• This technique involved mobilizing the liver to expose the suprarenal IVC, followed by using a snare and sheath to compress and extrude the filter.

Implications:

• This case report details the first successful hybrid retrieval of a suprarenal IVC filter, offering a potential solution for complex retrieval scenarios.
• The described technique may improve safety and efficacy in managing challenging IVC filter retrievals, potentially reducing associated morbidity.