Acute caval thrombosis leading to obstructive shock in the early post insertion period of an inferior vena cava filter: a case report and literature review

Abstract

Background Obstructive shock is extremely rare in clinical practice and is caused by acute blood flow obstruction in the central vessels of either the systemic or pulmonary circulation. Utilizing inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) to prevent pulmonary embolism (PE) is associated with some potential complications, such as inferior vena cava thrombosis (IVCT). Shock as a direct result of IVCT is rare. We present a case of obstructive shock secondary to extensive IVCT caused by inadequate anticoagulant therapy after the placement of an IVCF. Case presentation A 63-year-old male patient with a traffic accident injury presented orthopaedic trauma and lower limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT). He experienced sudden and severe abdominal pain with hypotension, tachycardia, tachypnea, oliguria and peripheral oedema 5 days after IVCF placement and 3 days after cessation of anticoagulant therapy. Considering that empirical anti-shock treatment lasted for a while and the curative effect was poor, we finally recognized the affected vessels and focused on the reason for obstructive shock through imaging findings—inferior vena cava thrombosis and occlusion. The shock state immediately resolved after thrombus aspiration. The same type of shock occurred again 6 days later during transfer from the ICU to general wards and the same treatment was administered. The patient recovered smoothly in the later stage, and the postoperative follow-up at 1, 3, and 12 months showed good results. Conclusion This case alerts clinicians that it is crucial to ensure adequate anticoagulation therapy after IVCF placement, and when a patient presents with symptoms such as hypotension, tachycardia, and lower limb and scrotal oedema postoperatively, immediate consideration should be given to the possibility of obstructive shock, and prompt intervention should be based on the underlying cause.

Emergency rescue of a patient with hemorrhagic shock caused by superior mesenteric artery rupture: A case report

“…Establishment of effective venous accesses: In antishock therapy, three or more venous accesses need to be opened to maintain circulation and guarantee subsequent blood transfusion and rescue medication[ 9 , 10 ]. The rounding nurse assisted the anesthesiologists in placing a catheter in the right subclavian jugular vein of the patient to monitor the central venous pressure and maintain the anesthesia and low-dose norepinephrine micropump during the operation, as well as to prevent the drug from stimulating the peripheral vein and promptly infuse a large amount of fluid and blood components during the operation.…”