Pulmonary Embolism Despite Inferior Vena Cava Filter in a Polytrauma Patient: A Case Report

Case A 39‐year‐old female with Factor V Leiden sustained multiple injuries following a motor‐vehicle collision. A prophylactic inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) was placed prior to fixation of her ipsilateral intertrochanteric and diaphyseal femur fractures the morning after admission. She developed a pulmonary embolism (PE) on postinjury Day 3. She underwent fixation of her ipsilateral tibial plateau and wrist on postinjury Day 6, IVCF removal on Day 12, and was subsequently discharged with 3 months of anticoagulation. Conclusion PE can occur despite IVCF. Our understanding of the prevention and management of de novo PE is limited and should be the focus of future research.