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Critical Role of Inferior Vena Caval Filter Placement After Pulmonary Embolectomy
Author(s) -
Rosenberger Peter,
Shernan Stanton K.,
Rawn James D.,
Scott Joseph,
Eltzschig Holger K.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of cardiac surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.428
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1540-8191
pISSN - 0886-0440
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8191.2005.200426.x
Subject(s) - medicine , embolectomy , pulmonary embolism , surgery , inferior vena cava filter , coagulopathy , inferior vena cava , radiology , thrombosis , venous thrombosis
Surgical pulmonary embolectomy is a definitive treatment for patients with severe pulmonary embolism (PE). Postoperative placement of an inferior vena caval filter (IVCF) may prevent recurrent PE. We present a patient who underwent pulmonary embolectomy in whom postoperative placement of an IVCF was postponed due to hemodynamic instability and severe hemorrhage. Recurrent PE was recognized 12 hours after the initial surgery, and required reoperative pulmonary embolectomy. This report documents that recurrent PE can occur early after pulmonary embolectomy even in the presence of coagulopathy. Therefore, concurrent IVCF placement should be considered during or immediately after pulmonary embolectomy to prevent recurrent pulmonary embolism.