Use of the Protrieve sheath to trap embolizing thrombus during a complex mechanical thrombectomy procedure with a thrombosed inferior vena cava filter

Abstract

Removal of thrombosed inferior vena cava (IVC) filters can be complicated by the risk of thrombus embolization. A 67-year-old patient presented for temporary IVC filter retrieval with complaints of worsening lower extremity swelling. Diagnostic imaging identified significant filter thrombosis and bilateral lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In the present case, the novel Protrieve sheath was used to successfully remove the IVC filter and thrombus, with an estimated blood loss of 100 mL. The intraprocedurally generated embolus was trapped and removed without complication. This approach could mitigate embolization risks when removing thrombosed IVC filters or complex DVT.

Keywords

• Medical devices
• Percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy
• Thrombectomy
• Vena cava filters
• Venous thromboembolism