Abstract 4367570: A Case Report: Outpatient Diagnosis of Venous Stent Migration - Avoiding Catastrophic Outcomes

Abstract

Intro: Peripheral venous stenting is an important treatment for iliocaval venous obstruction, but stent migration is a rare, serious complication with an incidence of 0.9–4.3% and mortality rates up to 60%. Migration to the heart or lungs can cause life-threatening events. Presentations are often vague—dyspnea, dizziness, chest discomfort—leading to delays in care. No standard surveillance guidelines exist. Early recognition is crucial to reducing morbidity and mortality. Aim: To emphasize early detection of venous stent migration through clinical vigilance and prompt imaging, and to highlight the importance of continued monitoring for thromboembolic complications post-retrieval. Description: A 52-year-old woman with hypertension, diabetes, hypothyroidism, and prior left iliac vein stenting for chronic venous insufficiency presented to primary care with postural dizziness, exertional dyspnea, and mild headache. Physical exam and vital signs were unremarkable. Given her history, a transthoracic echocardiogram was obtained, revealing a dislodged stent extending from the right atrium into the right ventricle. She was referred urgently to the hospital, where intravenous heparin was initiated. Percutaneous retrieval via transfemoral access was unsuccessful due to stent entrapment in cardiac structures. Open-heart surgical retrieval was performed following confirmation of normal coronary anatomy. Initial recovery was uneventful; however, several weeks later, she developed a segmental pulmonary embolism, treated successfully with apixaban. She returned to baseline without further complications. Early detection enabled timely intervention and likely prevented fatal outcomes. Discussion: Venous stent migration can cause embolism, valvular damage, arrhythmias, and tamponade. Diagnosis is challenging due to vague symptoms and lack of surveillance protocols. This case highlights the role of outpatient providers in early detection and referral. Multidisciplinary coordination among primary care, cardiology, vascular surgery, and radiology is essential. Vigilance must continue post-retrieval, as the patient’s pulmonary embolism illustrates the ongoing thromboembolic risk. Continued monitoring, anticoagulation, and follow-up imaging are critical to mitigating late complications. Conclusion: Venous stent migration, though rare, can have severe consequences. Early outpatient recognition, prompt imaging, and long-term surveillance are essential to improve patient outcomes.