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Inferior Vena Cava Filter Placement

(Inferior Vena Cava Filter Removal; IVC Filter Placement; IVC Filter Removal)

In-fer-e-or Ve-na Cah-va Fill-tore Plas-ment and Re-mov-ul

by Amy Scholten, MPH

Home | Health Information Center | Procedure & Surgery Fact Sheets | Article

Definition

Reasons for Procedure

Call Your Doctor

En Español

Definition

This procedure places a filter in the inferior vena cava (IVC). The IVC is a large vein that collects blood from the lower body and moves it to the heart.

Blood Flow Through the Heart

Reasons for Procedure

IVC filter placement is done to catch blood clots before they reach the heart and lungs. Blood clots in the heart and lungs can be life-threatening.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

The filter can catch the blood clot without blocking blood flow. Over time the blood clot will break apart.

This procedure is often used in people at risk for blood clots who cannot take blood thinning medicines.

Possible Complications

Problems are rare, but all procedures have some risk. The doctor will go over some problems that could happen, such as:

Excess bleeding
Problems from anesthesia or x-ray dye
Damage to other organs and structures
Infection
The IVC filter moves from its proper position
Heart attack
Blood clots—rare

Things that may raise the risk of problems are:

Smoking
Drinking alcohol
Chronic disease such as diabetes or obesity

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

The care team may meet with you to talk about:

Anesthesia options
Any allergies you may have
Current medicines, herbs, and supplements that you take and whether you need to stop taking them before surgery
Fasting before surgery, such as avoiding food or drink after midnight the night before
Whether you need a ride to and from surgery
Tests that will need to be done before surgery

Anesthesia

The doctor will give local anesthesia. The area where the tube is inserted will be numbed.

Description of the Procedure

A small incision will be made in the groin or neck. A tube will be passed through this incision. It will be passed into a major blood vessel until it reaches the IVC. Contrast dye will be injected through the tube and x-rays will be taken. The dye and x-rays will help the doctor see the tube as it passes through. An IVC filter will then be passed through the tube to the desired location. Once in place, the filter will be opened. The tube is then removed. Pressure will be applied to the insertion site for about 10 minutes. This will prevent bleeding. A bandage will then be placed over the site.

How Long Will It Take?

About 1 hour

Will It Hurt?

There may be some pain and discomfort after the procedure. Medicines can help.

Average Hospital Stay

Most go home the same day. If you have any problems, you may need to stay longer.

Post-procedure Care

At the Hospital

During your stay, the hospital staff will take steps to lower your risk of infection such as:

Washing their hands
Wearing gloves or masks
Keeping your incisions covered

There are also steps you can take to lower your risk of infection such as:

Washing your hands often and reminding visitors and staff to do the same
Reminding staff to wear gloves or masks
Not letting others touch your incisions

At Home

Recovery usually takes a few days.

Call Your Doctor

Call your doctor if you are not getting better or you have:

Redness, swelling, excess bleeding, or discharge from the insertion site
Pain that you cannot control with the medicines
Lasting nausea or vomiting
Signs of infection, such as fever and chills
Cough or breathing problems
Chest pain
Blue color and coldness in your legs

If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.

RESOURCES:

Radiology Info—American College of Radiology
https://radiologyinfo.org

Texas Heart Institute
http://www.texasheart.org

Canadian Resources:

Canadian Association of Radiologists
https://car.ca

Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca

References:

Inferior vena cava filter placement and removal. Radiology Info—American College of Radiology website. Available at: https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/venacavafilter. Accessed July 22, 2021.

Li X, Haddadin I, et al. Inferior vena cava filter - comprehensive overview of current indications, techniques, complications and retrieval rates. Vasa. 2020;49(6):449-462.

Pulmonary embolism (PE). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/pulmonary-embolism-pe. Accessed July 22, 2021.

Venous thromboembolism treatment. Cleveland Clinic website. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17147-venous-thromboembolism-vte-treatment. Accessed July 22, 2021.

Last reviewed July 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Michael J. Fucci, DO, FACC
Last Updated: 7/22/2021

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