Symptomatic inferior vena cava perforation by a retrievable filter: Report of two cases and a literature review.

Inferior vena cava filters have been used frequently for decades to prevent pulmonary embolism in medical, surgical and trauma patients. With the advent of temporary or retrievable filters, the use of these filters has increased substantially. However, the enhanced design and attributes that make these devices attractive for short-term benefit and retrieval are not without risk. Two cases of symptomatic inferior vena cava wall penetration are reported - one of which required surgical intervention.