Buckling of the tethering catheter causes migration of a temporary caval filter to the right atrium

AIM: To report problems in the tethering catheter shaft of the Tempofilter, temporary caval filter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two cases are reported where the tethering catheter shaft of the Tempofilter buckled within the jugular vein. RESULTS: Buckling of the tethering shaft caused cephalic migration of the f ilter into the right atrium. Both filters were uneventfully removed without adverse sequelae. CONCLUSION: These cases demonstrate another mechanism of tethering shaft sh ortening which results in unexpected migration of the filter. This device i s potentially dangerous because of the liability of the tethering cather to buckle at or near the insertion site with cephalic migration of the filter . Improvements in the tethering catheter mechanism need to be made before f urther patient usage.