Significant Caval Penetration by the Celect Inferior Vena Cava Filter: Attributable to Filter Design?

This report describes transmural penetration of the inferior vena cava (IVC) by a newly introduced IVC filter within 9 days of its placement. A computed tomographic study demonstrated filter penetration with one of the primary struts lodging in the uncinate process of the pancreas. Because of the close resemblance of this new filter to another filter that has not been associated with penetration injuries, the key differences between the two designs were examined and the determination was made that the new filter, unlike the older one, has unprotected primary struts. Only filters with an unprotected primary strut design have been associated with penetration injuries such as the one described in this case.