What Is the Advantage of Inserting a Screen for Blood Clots?

Inferior vena cava filters are screen-like devices used to prevent blood clots traveling from other parts of the body to the lungs, where they can have serious consequences.

Description of the Disease

• Blood clots can form in the veins of the lower leg or pelvis. Your risk of developing these clots are increased if you are hospitalized, paralyzed or have limited mobility. Clots which develop in the legs and pelvis are termed deep vein thromboses, or DVTs. Blood clots which break free of the vein and travel to the lung are called pulmonary emboli. Pulmonary emboli travel to the lungs via the inferior vena cava, a large vein responsible for carrying blood from the lower body to the lungs, and can have serious, even fatal, consequences.

Symptoms

• Deep vein thromboses in the legs can cause swelling, pain, tenderness and redness. Symptoms of pulmonary emboli include difficulty breathing, chest pain, bluish skin color and fainting.

Treatment With an Inferior Vena Cava Filter

• The goal of placing a filter is to stop blood clots that are traveling up the inferior vena cava from reaching your lungs. Placement of the filter is usually done as an outpatient procedure although hospitalization is sometimes necessary. If done under local anesthesia, you will be awake but given a sedative to help you relax. A long, hollow tube, or catheter, will be inserted through a small incision in your neck or groin. The catheter will deliver the filter to the IVC where it will be left in place for as long as your doctor determines it is necessary. Filters can be permanent or temporary.