Spontaneous fatal perforation of aorta and vena cava by Mobin-Uddin umbrella.

A 60-year-old Caucasian woman died suddenly and unexpectedly after 4 days of dyspnea, lower back pain, and numbness of the legs. Autopsy revealed that death was due to perforation of both the aorta and the vena cava by the spikes of a Mobin-Uddin umbrella (an inferior vena cava filter designed to prevent recurrent pulmonary embolism) which was implanted 8 years prior to the patient's death. To prevent this type of lethal complication, it is suggested that the sharp spikes of the Mobin-Uddin umbrella be modified into curved, hook-like ends.