Longitudinal stent fracture and migration of a stent fragment complicating treatment of hepatic vein stenosis after orthotopic liver transplantation.

We report a case of inferior vena cava (IVC) stent placement complicated by longitudinal stent fracture and migration of a stent fragment to the right pulmonary artery 2 years after initial placement. During attempted stenting of a hepatic venous anastomotic stenosis following orthotopic liver transplantation, a Palmaz P308 stent (Cordis International, Miami, FL) migrated and was redeployed into the IVC. Two years later, the patient had recurrent ascites and liver failure. Chest radiograph showed the Palmaz P308 stent had fractured longitudinally with a fragment in the right interlobular pulmonary artery. Half of the stent remained in the IVC. Mild stenosis was noted in the IVC where the stent was deployed. Overdilation of stents may be associated with stent fracture and should be performed with caution.