Absent inferior venacava and anti phospholipid antibody syndrome: Compounding risk factor for deep vein thrombosis and recurrent pregnancy loss

Abstract

The spectrum of congenital anomalies of the inferior vena cava (IVC) has been well described in the literature, but the absence of IVC is a rare occurrence. Most of these patients remain asymptomatic, and the age of presentation depends on the development of deep-venous thrombosis. A young female presented to us with irregular bleeding per vaginum and recurrent pregnancy loss. A thorough general examination of the female patient revealed dilated veins over the abdomen and lower limbs. Investigations of recurrent pregnancy loss led to the diagnosis of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome and computed tomography venography to find out the cause of dilated veins lead to the diagnosis of absent IVC. Both these factors, i.e., absent IVC and the presence of autoimmune antibodies, have compounded the risk factor of thrombosis and management challenging which is discussed.