Extraction of Fractured IVC Filter Strut from Pulmonary Artery Using Inari FlowTriever System

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter retrieval is generally considered safe in the setting of deep vein thrombosis, but complications can arise during extraction. In this report, we describe the case of a 64-year-old male who underwent IVC filter placement prior to spine surgery for intractable pain and inability to ambulate. Filter extraction was attempted approximately 1 month later, when one of the filter struts fractured and embolized into the pulmonary artery. This case demonstrates a novel physician-modified retrieval technique using a telescoping T24-T16 catheter system and a customized snare, successfully employed to extract an embolized IVC filter strut from the pulmonary artery.