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Pulmonary Embolism
- 1. Pulmonary Embolism Prof.Ahmed BaHammam, FRCP, FCCP Professor of Medicine College of Medicine King Saud University
- 3. 50,000 individuals diefrom PE each year in USA The incidence of PE in USA is 500,000 per year
- 4. Incidence of PulmonaryEmbolism Per Year in the United States * 11% 89% 71% 29% 70% 30% 92% 8% * Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, Vol. XVII, No. 4 (Jan/Feb 1975) Total Incidence 630,000 Death within 1 hr 67,000 Survival >1hr 563,000 Dx not made 400,000 Dx made, therapy instituted 163,000 Survival 280,000 Death 120,000 Survival 150,000 Death 120,000
- 5. Risk factor forvenous thrombosis Stasis Injury to venous intima Alterations in the coagulation-fibrinolytic system
- 6. Source of emboliDeep venous thrombosis (>95%) Other veins: Renal Uterine Right cardiac chambers
- 7. Risk factors forDVT General anesthesia Lower limb or pelvic injury or surgery Congestive heart failure Prolonged immobility Pregnancy Postpartum Oral contraceptive pills Malignancy Obesity Advanced age Coagulation problems
- 8. Clinical features Suddenonset dyspnea Pleuritic chest pain Hemoptysis Clinical clues cannot make the diagnosis of PE; their main value lies in suggesting the diagnosis
- 9. Signs or symptomsobserved in patients with thromboembolism Study Stein et al., % (n= 117) Anderson et al., % (n= 131) Pulmonary embolism Dyspnea 73 77 Tachypnea 70 70 Chest pain 66 55 Cough 37 — Tachycardia 30 43 Cyanosis 1 18 Hemoptysis 13 13 Wheezing 9 — Hypotension — 10
- 10. Signs or symptomsobserved in patients with thromboembolism Study Stein et al., % (n= 117) Anderson et al., % (n= 131) Pulmonary Embolism Syncope — 10 Elevated jugular venous pulse — 8 Temperature >38.5°C 7 — S-3 gallop 3 5 Pleural friction rub 3 2
- 11. Signs or symptomsobserved in patients with thromboembolism Study Stein et al., % (n= 117) Anderson et al., % (n= 131) Deep vein thrombosis Swelling 28 88 * Pain 26 56 Tenderness — 55 Warmth — 42 Redness — 34 Homan ’ s sign 4 13 Palpable cord — 6
- 12. Massive Pulmonary EmbolismIt is a catastrophic entity which often results in acute right ventricular failure and death Frequently undiscovered until autopsy Fatal PE typically leads to death within one to two hours of the event
- 13. Pathophysiology Massive PEcauses an increase in PVR right ventricular outflow obstruction decrease left ventricular preload Decrease CO In patients without cardiopulmonary disease, occlusion of 25-30 % of the vascular bed increase in Pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) Hypoxemia ensues stimulating vasoconstriction increase in PAP
- 14. Pathophysiology More than50% of the vascular bed has to be occluded before PAP becomes substantially elevated When obstruction approaches 75%, the RV must generate systolic pressure in excess of 50mmHg to preserve pulmonary circulation The normal RV is unable to accomplish this acutely and eventually fails
- 15. Diagnosis CXR ABG: ECG V/Q Spiral CT Echo Angio Fibrin Split Products/D-dimer
- 16. S1 Q3 T3Pattern
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- 18. Rt. Bundle BranchBlock
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- 20. Diagnosis The diagnosisof massive PE should be explored whenever oxygenation or hemodynamic parameters are severely compromised without explanation CXR ABG: Significant hypoxemia is almost uniformly present when there is a hemodynamically significant PE V/Q Spiral CT Echo Angio
- 21. Chest radiograph showingpulmonary infarct in right lower lobe
- 22. Chest radiographic findingsin patients with pulmonary embolism COPD, % (n= 21) No prior cardiopulmonary disease, % (n= 117) Atelectasis or pulmonary parenchymal abnormality 76 68 Pleural effusion 52 48 Pleural-based opacity 33 35 Elevated diaphragm 14 24 Decreased pulmonary vascularity 38 21 Prominent central pulmonary artery 29 15 Cardiomegaly 19 12 Westermark ’ s sign * 5 7 Pulmonary edema 14 4
- 23. The use ofventilation perfusion scan in diagnosing pulmonary embolism High probability =2 large segmental (>75% of a segment) perfusion defects without corresponding ventilation or radiographic abnormalities or substantially larger than matching ventilation or radiologic abnormalities OR =2 moderate segmental (>25% and <75% of a segment) perfusion defects without matching ventilation or chest radiographic abnormalities plus one large unmatched segmental defect OR =4 moderate segmental perfusion defects without matching ventilation or chest radiologic abnormalities
- 24. The use ofventilation perfusion scan in diagnosing pulmonary embolism Intermediate probability Scans that do not fall into normal, very low, low, or high probability categories
- 25. The use ofventilation perfusion scan in diagnosing pulmonary embolism Low probability Nonsegmental perfusion defects OR Single moderate mismatched segmental perfusion defect with normal chest radiograph OR Any perfusion defect with a substantially larger abnormality on chest radiograph OR Large or moderate segmental perfusion defects involving no more than four segments in one lung and no more than three segments in one lung region with matching or larger ventilation/radiographic abnormalities OR More than three small segmental perfusion defects (<25% of a segment) with a normal chest radiograph Very low probability Three or fewer small segmental perfusion defects with a normal chest radiograph Normal No perfusion defects present
- 26. The use ofventilation perfusion scan in diagnosing pulmonary embolism Very low probability Three or fewer small segmental perfusion defects with a normal chest radiograph Normal No perfusion defects present
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- 30. Prospective Investigation ofPulmonary Embolism Diagnosis (PIOPED) results Prospective investigation of pulmonary embolism diagnosis results Scan category PE present PE absent PE uncertain No angiogram Total High probability 102 14 1 7 124 Intermediate probability 105 217 9 33 364 Low probability 39 199 12 62 312 Near normal or normal 5 50 2 74 131 Total 251 480 24 176 931
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- 35. Tomographic scan showinginfarcted left lung, large clot in right main pulmonary artery
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- 42. Reader 1 2Mean K CT 72.1 69.8 71.0 0.86 MRA 79.1 81.4 80.3 0.84 RT-MRA 97.7 97.7 97.7 1 Sensitivity of spiral computed tomography, magnetic resonance angiography, and real-time magnetic resonance angiography, for detecting pulmonary emboli Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2003
- 43. Suggested diagnostic strategyfor venous thromboembolism
- 44. Dosage and monitoringof anticoagulant therapy Dosage and monitoring of anticoagulant therapy After initiating heparin therapy, repeat APTT every 6 h for first 24 h and then every 24 h when therapeutic APTT is achieved Warfarin 5 mg/d can be started on day 1 of therapy; there is no benefit from higher starting doses Platelet count should be monitored at least every 3 d during initial heparin therapy Therapeutic APTT should correspond to plasma heparin level of 0.2 – 0.4 IU/mL Heparin is usually continued for 5 – 7 d Heparin can be stopped after 4 – 5 d of warfarin therapy when INR is in 2.0 – 3.0 range
- 45. Important drug interactionswith warfarin Drugs that decrease warfarin requirement Drugs that increase warfarin requirement Phenylbutazone Barbiturates Metronidazole Carbamazepine Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole Rifampin Amiodarone Penicillin Second- and third-generation cephalosporins Griseofulvin Clofibrate Cholestyramine Erythromycin Anabolic steroids Thyroxine
- 46. Complications of anticoagulationComplication Management Heparin Bleeding Stop heparin infusion. For severe bleeding, the anticoagulant effect of heparin can be reversed with intravenous protamine sulfate 1 mg/100 units of heparin bolus or 0.5 mg for the number of units given by constant infusion over the past hour; provide supportive care including transfusion and clot evacuation from closed body cavities as needed.
- 47. Complications of anticoagulationComplication Management Heparin Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis Carefully monitor platelet count during therapy. Stop-heparin for platelet counts <75,000. Replace heparin with direct inhibitors of thrombin-like desirudin if necessary. These agents do not cause heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Avoid platelet transfusion because of the risk for thrombosis.
- 48. Complications of anticoagulationComplication Management Heparin Heparin-induced osteoporosis (therapy >1 mo) LMWHs may have lower propensity to cause osteoporosis as compared with unfractionated heparin; consider LMWH if prolonged heparin therapy is necessary.
- 49. Complications of anticoagulationComplication Management Warfarin Bleeding Stop therapy. Administer vitamin K and fresh-frozen plasma for severe bleeding; provide supportive care including transfusion and clot evacuation from closed body cavities as needed Skin necrosis (rare) Supportive care. Teratogenicity Do not use in pregnancy or in patients planning to become pregnant.
- 50. Risks and benefitsof thrombolytics vs heparin therapy for pulmonary embolism Thrombolytic therapy No difference Heparin Improved resolution at 2-4 h after onset of therapy Angiography + - - Pulmonary artery pressure + - - Echocardiography + - - Resolution at 24 h Lung scan + - - Angiography + - -
- 51. Risks and benefitsof thrombolytics vs heparin therapy for pulmonary embolism Thrombolytic therapy No difference Heparin Echocardiography + - - Pulmonary artery pressure + - - Resolution at 1 wk and 30 d (lung scan) - + - Rate of confirmed recurrent pulmonary embolism - + -
- 52. Risks and benefitsof thrombolytics vs heparin therapy for pulmonary embolism Thrombolytic therapy No difference Heparin Hospital mortality - + - Late mortality - + - Less severe bleeding - - + Less intracranial hemorrhage - - + Lower cost - - +
- 53. Approved thrombolytics forpulmonary embolism Approved thrombolytics for pulmonary embolism Streptokinase 250,000 IU as loading dose over 30 min, followed by 100,000 U/h for 24 h Urokinase 4400 IU/kg as a loading dose over 10 min, followed by 4400 IU/kg/h for 12-24 h Recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator 100 mg as a continuous peripheral intravenous infusion administered over 2 h
- 54. Indications and contraindicationsfor thrombolytic therapy in pulmonary embolism Indications Hemodynamic instability Hypoxia on 100% oxygen Right ventricular dysfunction by echocardiography
- 55. Contraindications Relative Recentsurgery within last 10 d Previous arterial punctures within 10 d Neurosurgery within 6 mo Bleeding disorder (thrombocytopenia, renal failure, liver failure) Ophthalmologic surgery within 6 wk Hypertension >200 mm Hg systolic or 110 mm Hg diastolic Placement of central venous catheter within 48 h Hypertensive retinopathy with hemorrhages or exudates Intracerebral aneurysm or malignancy Cardiopulmonary resuscitation within 2 wk Cerebrovascular disease Major internal bleeding within the last 6 mo Pregnancy and the 1st 10 d postpartum Infectious endocarditis Severe trauma within 2 mo Pericarditis Absolute Active internal bleeding
- 56. Various inferior venacaval filters
- 57. Indications for inferiorvena caval (IVC) filters Indications for inferior vena caval filter placement Anticoagulation contraindicated (eg, patients with multiple trauma, active bleeding) Failure of antithrombotic therapy Complications from anticoagulant therapy preclude further use Prophylaxis against embolism from preexisting deep vein thrombosis in patients with poor cardiopulmonary reserve Prophylaxis against embolism in patients at high risk to develop deep vein thrombosis Patients with recurrent pulmonary embolism undergoing thromboendarterectomy
- 58. Conclusions PEis common and under-recognized serious medical problem Early diagnosis and treatment is essential for good outcome High index of suspicion is needed in high risk patients
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Editor's Notes
- #22 Figure 21-5. Chest radiograph showing pulmonary infarct in the right lower lobe. This patient had low-grade fever, hemoptysis, and pleuritic chest pain. The ventilation-perfusion scan was read as high probability for pulmonary embolism. A pleural-based density in the lower lobe with the convexity directed toward the hilum signifies pulmonary infarction. This sign is also known as ?Hampton’s hump.”
- #23 Figure 21-6. Chest radiographic findings in patients with pulmonary embolism. Although frequently abnormal, the chest radiograph is nonspecific for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and cannot be used to confirm the diagnosis. The existence of underlying lung disease may also influence the chest radiographic appearance of pulmonary embolism. (Data from Stein [7].)
- #24 Figure 21-8. The use of ventilation-perfusion scan in diagnosing pulmonary embolism. The criteria used for interpreting ventilation-perfusion scans are listed in the figure. In patients suspected to have pulmonary embolism, this study is ordered routinely. The perfusion scan is usually performed first. Macroaggregates of albumin labeled with technetium-99m are injected, and images are obtained in anterior, posterior, and right and left lateral and oblique views. If the perfusion scan is normal, there is no need to perform a ventilation scan. Defects in perfusion are assessed and quantified. The ventilation scan is performed by inhalation of a radioactive gas, usually 133 Xe is mixed with air. The patient breathes this radioactive mixture until a state of equilibrium has been reached between the spirometer and lungs, then the patientbreathes room air. Images taken in this wash-out phase are useful in detecting ventilation abnormalities. (Adapted from the PIOPEDInvestigators [14].)
- #25 Figure 21-8. The use of ventilation-perfusion scan in diagnosing pulmonary embolism. The criteria used for interpreting ventilation-perfusion scans are listed in the figure. In patients suspected to have pulmonary embolism, this study is ordered routinely. The perfusion scan is usually performed first. Macroaggregates of albumin labeled with technetium-99m are injected, and images are obtained in anterior, posterior, and right and left lateral and oblique views. If the perfusion scan is normal, there is no need to perform a ventilation scan. Defects in perfusion are assessed and quantified. The ventilation scan is performed by inhalation of a radioactive gas, usually 133 Xe is mixed with air. The patient breathes this radioactive mixture until a state of equilibrium has been reached between the spirometer and lungs, then the patientbreathes room air. Images taken in this wash-out phase are useful in detecting ventilation abnormalities. (Adapted from the PIOPEDInvestigators [14].)
- #26 Figure 21-8. The use of ventilation-perfusion scan in diagnosing pulmonary embolism. The criteria used for interpreting ventilation-perfusion scans are listed in the figure. In patients suspected to have pulmonary embolism, this study is ordered routinely. The perfusion scan is usually performed first. Macroaggregates of albumin labeled with technetium-99m are injected, and images are obtained in anterior, posterior, and right and left lateral and oblique views. If the perfusion scan is normal, there is no need to perform a ventilation scan. Defects in perfusion are assessed and quantified. The ventilation scan is performed by inhalation of a radioactive gas, usually 133 Xe is mixed with air. The patient breathes this radioactive mixture until a state of equilibrium has been reached between the spirometer and lungs, then the patientbreathes room air. Images taken in this wash-out phase are useful in detecting ventilation abnormalities. (Adapted from the PIOPEDInvestigators [14].)
- #27 Figure 21-8. The use of ventilation-perfusion scan in diagnosing pulmonary embolism. The criteria used for interpreting ventilation-perfusion scans are listed in the figure. In patients suspected to have pulmonary embolism, this study is ordered routinely. The perfusion scan is usually performed first. Macroaggregates of albumin labeled with technetium-99m are injected, and images are obtained in anterior, posterior, and right and left lateral and oblique views. If the perfusion scan is normal, there is no need to perform a ventilation scan. Defects in perfusion are assessed and quantified. The ventilation scan is performed by inhalation of a radioactive gas, usually 133 Xe is mixed with air. The patient breathes this radioactive mixture until a state of equilibrium has been reached between the spirometer and lungs, then the patientbreathes room air. Images taken in this wash-out phase are useful in detecting ventilation abnormalities. (Adapted from the PIOPEDInvestigators [14].)
- #28 Figure 21-9. High-probability ventilation-perfusion scan. A and B, Multiple large segmental and subsegmental perfusion defects are seen bilaterally. C, The corresponding ventilation image was normal. The patient was treated for pulmonary embolism.
- #29 Figure 21-9. High-probability ventilation-perfusion scan. A and B, Multiple large segmental and subsegmental perfusion defects are seen bilaterally. C, The corresponding ventilation image was normal. The patient was treated for pulmonary embolism.
- #30 Figure 21-9. High-probability ventilation-perfusion scan. A and B, Multiple large segmental and subsegmental perfusion defects are seen bilaterally. C, The corresponding ventilation image was normal. The patient was treated for pulmonary embolism.
- #31 Figure 21-10. Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis (PIOPED) results. This prospective study was designed to study the accuracy of ventilation-perfusion (õ/õ) scan in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. Results of õ/õ scan were compared with pulmonary angiography, which was used as a gold standard. From the results it is obvious that more than two thirds of patients have scans of low or intermediate probability that are nondiagnostic. Although a high-probability scan usually indicates pulmonary embolism, only a minority of patients with pulmonary embolism have a high-probability scan. Near-normal lung scans make the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism very unlikely. (Data from the PIOPED Investigators [14].)
- #36 Figure 21-30. A, Computed tomographic scan demonstrating infarcted lung on left and large clot in the right main pulmonary artery. B, Autopsy specimen from same patient demonstrating organized clot in right main pulmonary artery. The patient presented with chronic dyspnea and hemoptysis and later died from complications of severe pulmonary hypertension. Patients with moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension may be considered for thromboendarterectomy. The operative mortality has decreased to approximately 5% with improvement in technique. Patients may experience dramatic relief of symptoms. Life-long anticoagulation is required to prevent recurrence.
- #38 Figure 21-11. Pulmonary angiogram showing pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary angiography remains the diagnostic gold standard for pulmonary embolism. Access to the pulmonary artery is obtained via transvenous catheter placement. The diagnosis is confirmed by persistent filling defect or abrupt cut-off of flow. Abrupt cut-off of flow to the right and left upper lobe vessels is seen in this patient.
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- #44 Figure 21-12. Suggested diagnostic strategy for venous thromboembolism. The PIOPED study revealed that results of ventilation-perfusion (õ/õ) scans are nondiagnostic in more than 70% of the cases. The diagnostic strategy proposed in the figure provides a rational approach to work up patients with suspected thromboembolic disease. The role of spiral CT scan in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism remains controversial with a wide range of reported sensitivities (53%–100%) and specificities (81%–100%) [15]. (Adapted from Stein et al.[16].)
- #45 Figure 21-15. Dosage and monitoring of anticoagulant therapy [22],[23]. An activated partial thromboplastin time ratio of 1.5 to 2.5 has traditionally been used to define the boundaries of therapeutic heparin effects. The actual therapeutic range may vary according to the thromboplastin reagent used by a particular laboratory. Warfarin acts by inhibiting the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors in the liver (II, VII, IX, and X). The half-lives of these factors are relatively long (60, 6, 24, and 40 hours, respectively), thus the onset of action of warfarin is slow—3 or more days may be required to achieve a therapeutic response. Traditionally, warfarin therapy has been monitored by measuring the prothrombin time (PT). To standardize themonitoring of therapy, the INR is used by many laboratories. The PT of the patient is compared with a normal control PT value; this ratio is thenplotted against the International Sensitivity Index (ISI) to calculate the INR (INR = PT ratioisi). The ISI is obtained by comparing the local thromboplastin reagent used for testing with a standardized international reagent [24].
- #46 Figure 21-18. Important drug interactions with warfarin. The figure includes only a short list of commonly used agents that are known to have clinically significant interactions with warfarin; several other drugs have pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions with warfarin. Careful review of medications, alcohol consumption, and dietary factors is mandatory in patients who are on warfarin therapy.
- #47 Figure 21-22. Complications of anticoagulation. Major bleeding episodes with the use of heparin are much more likely to occur in patients with identifiable risks for bleeding rather than an excessively long activated partial thromboplastin time per se. LMWH does not affect the APTT to a significant degree; therefore, the APTT need not be routinely measured. Many factors influence the prothrombin time during warfarin therapy. Weekly or biweekly measurements are necessary until the prothrombin time stabilizes. Thereafter, monthly measurements of the prothrombin time may be sufficient.
- #48 Figure 21-22. Complications of anticoagulation. Major bleeding episodes with the use of heparin are much more likely to occur in patients with identifiable risks for bleeding rather than an excessively long activated partial thromboplastin time per se. LMWH does not affect the APTT to a significant degree; therefore, the APTT need not be routinely measured. Many factors influence the prothrombin time during warfarin therapy. Weekly or biweekly measurements are necessary until the prothrombin time stabilizes. Thereafter, monthly measurements of the prothrombin time may be sufficient.
- #49 Figure 21-22. Complications of anticoagulation. Major bleeding episodes with the use of heparin are much more likely to occur in patients with identifiable risks for bleeding rather than an excessively long activated partial thromboplastin time per se. LMWH does not affect the APTT to a significant degree; therefore, the APTT need not be routinely measured. Many factors influence the prothrombin time during warfarin therapy. Weekly or biweekly measurements are necessary until the prothrombin time stabilizes. Thereafter, monthly measurements of the prothrombin time may be sufficient.
- #50 Figure 21-22. Complications of anticoagulation. Major bleeding episodes with the use of heparin are much more likely to occur in patients with identifiable risks for bleeding rather than an excessively long activated partial thromboplastin time per se. LMWH does not affect the APTT to a significant degree; therefore, the APTT need not be routinely measured. Many factors influence the prothrombin time during warfarin therapy. Weekly or biweekly measurements are necessary until the prothrombin time stabilizes. Thereafter, monthly measurements of the prothrombin time may be sufficient.
- #51 Figure 21-23. Risks and benefits of thrombolytics versus heparin therapy for pulmonary embolism. The role of thrombolytic therapy in the management of acute thromboembolic disease is unclear. Improvement in hemodynamic parameters and reduction in clot burden have been demonstrated after thrombolysis; however, no improvement in mortality has been demonstrated when compared with conventional anticoagulation. Nonetheless, in selected patients with acute pulmonary embolism and hemodynamic instability, thrombolytics may prove to be life saving. (Adapted from Dalen et al.[18].)
- #52 Figure 21-23. Risks and benefits of thrombolytics versus heparin therapy for pulmonary embolism. The role of thrombolytic therapy in the management of acute thromboembolic disease is unclear. Improvement in hemodynamic parameters and reduction in clot burden have been demonstrated after thrombolysis; however, no improvement in mortality has been demonstrated when compared with conventional anticoagulation. Nonetheless, in selected patients with acute pulmonary embolism and hemodynamic instability, thrombolytics may prove to be life saving. (Adapted from Dalen et al.[18].)
- #53 Figure 21-23. Risks and benefits of thrombolytics versus heparin therapy for pulmonary embolism. The role of thrombolytic therapy in the management of acute thromboembolic disease is unclear. Improvement in hemodynamic parameters and reduction in clot burden have been demonstrated after thrombolysis; however, no improvement in mortality has been demonstrated when compared with conventional anticoagulation. Nonetheless, in selected patients with acute pulmonary embolism and hemodynamic instability, thrombolytics may prove to be life saving. (Adapted from Dalen et al.[18].)
- #54 Figure 21-24. Approved thrombolytics for pulmonary embolism. All three US Food and Drug Administration–approved regimens used fixed or weight-adjusted doses. No further dosage adjustments are made. Heparin is resumed after the thrombolytic infusion when the activated partial thromboplastin time is less than 2.5 × control.
- #55 Figure 21-25. Indications and contraindications for thrombolytic therapy in pulmonary embolism. Thrombolytics may also be used to treat extensive ileofemoral venous thrombosis in selected patients with a low risk of bleeding. Some evidence exists that the incidence of postthrombotic syndrome is reduced if complete thrombolysis is achieved. Often the decision to administer thrombolytic therapy has to be individualized after careful review of potential risks and benefits.
- #57 Figure 21-26. Various inferior vena caval filters. A, Greenfield filter; B, Titanium Greenfield filter; C, Simon-Nitinol filter; D, LGM or Vena Tech filter; E, Amplatz filter; F, Bird’s Nest filter; G, Günther filter. Surgical interruption of the inferior vena cava was first practiced more than 100 years ago. The practice is percutaneous insertion of a filter device in the inferior vena cava under fluoroscopy to prevent pulmonary embolism. (Adapted from Becker et al.[38].)
- #58 Figure 21-27. Indications for inferior vena caval (IVC) filters. IVC filters are widely used, but randomized controlled trials assessing their efficacy are lacking. The procedure is not difficult to perform in experienced hands; mortality from filter placement is less than 1%[38]. Nonfatal complications that have been reported include misplacement, cellulitis, hematoma, and venous thrombosis. Proximal or distal migration of the device may also occur. Erosion of the filter into the vena cava wall has been reported; it usually occurs slowly with very few clinical complications. IVC obstruction and lower extremity venous insufficiency may occur in some patients [38],[39].If possible, anticoagulation should be used after filter placement to prevent morbidity from deep vein thrombosis in the legs and to prevent clot formation on the filter[40]. Note that IVC filters may lose their effectiveness within a few months due to the development of collateral venous circulation.