IVC Filter Placement in Nigeria

Image

Venous thromboembolism comprised Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). It is a continuum of a single disease process within the veins which drain blood to the right sided heart and continue to the pulmonary artery. The 3 case series above had DVT with the 2nd case diagnosed with pulmonary embolism. Commonly, DVT develops within the deep veins of the lower extremities or pelvic region. But, it can also arise from upper extremities or devices such as pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, cardiac Resynchronization therapy and long term tunnel dialysis catheters. Our 3 patients presented, had DVT of the lower extremities. Inferior vena cava filter is not part of the management plan for DVT from upper extremities and the cardiac devices. The most dreaded complication of DVT is pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism is the frequent cause of death among patients with venous thromboembolism. One patient had pulmonary embolism among the 3 patients reported. Death is associated with serious underlying disease in approximately 50% of patients with pulmonary embolism.