Cardiac Tamponade Due to Inferior Vena Cava Filter Removal: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Cardiac tamponade is a condition characterized by the accumulation of pericardial fluid, compromising the hemodynamics of the circulation. It has several known causes, including traumatic injury to the pericardium, idiopathic, neoplastic or purulent pericarditis, and, rarely, iatrogenic etiology. Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter removal can lead to multiple complications including but not limited to IVC perforation, air embolism, pneumothorax or filter migration. Here, we present a case of a middle-aged woman presenting with cardiac tamponade after IVC filter removal. She was successfully managed with pericardiocentesis followed by pericardial window placement. As this case and literature review illustrates, cardiac tamponade is a rare but potentially devastating complication of IVC filter manipulation.