Abstract
We report a very rare case of placement of a superior vena caval (SVC) filter for upper extremity deep venous thrombosis. A 67-year-old woman with left axillary pain was admitted. Lower extremity deep venous thrombosis was diagnosed. CT scan and venography revealed acute thrombosis of the left brachial, axillary, subclavian, common jugular and innominate veins. We performed thrombolytic therapy and placement of a temporary filter within the SVC, because CT scan and a ventilation-perfusion scan revealed pulmonary embolism. After one week, due to lack of improvement, we placed a Greenfield filter within the SVC. It is necessary to place a SVC filter in high risk patients if anticoagulation therapy fails or if there is recurrence, proximal/wide range thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism.
