IVC Filter Placement/ Retrieval

What are IVC Filters?

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement is a minimally invasive procedure using the guidance of diagnostic imaging to place a filter in the IVC.

Blood clots that form in the legs or pelvic region, a condition called Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) can occasionally break loose and travel to the lungs resulting in a Pulmonary Embolism (PE). Clots that travel to the heart can cause severe and adverse complications or extreme situations, even sudden death.

The placement of an IVC filter will serve as a trap for the remaining clots that are loose after a Thrombolysis procedure. Therefore, some physicians performing thrombolysis will complimentary place a filter into the IVC immediately following the procedure as a precaution. This filter is temporary; your physician will have it removed within 2-3 months.

When retrieving an IVC filter, a catheter is inserted into a large vein in the groin and advanced to the area of the filter. Removable IVC filters have a hook that enables the catheter to capture the filter and withdraw it from the body.