Excessive venous bleeding in a patient with acetabular pelvic fracture secondary to inferior vena cava filter occlusion

Abstract

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters can be used to prevent pulmonary embolism in cases where anticoagulation is contraindicated. Filter obstruction remains one of the major complications after its insertion. This is the rare case demonstrating excessive venous bleeding during attempted open reduction internal fixation of an acetabular fracture secondary to subcomplete IVC filter thrombosis day 1 postinsertion of the device. Copyright 2012 BMJ Publishing Group. All rights reserved.