Inferior Vena Cava filter insertion/retrieval

Inferior vena cava filter is a metallic device (umbrella shaped) which is inserted in the major blood vessel (Inferior vena cava) which drains the blood from the lower part of the body to the heart and the lungs.

Filter Is generally placed either in patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the legs or those at risk of developing DVT. The filter is designed to trap potentially life-threatening blood clot(s) that can get dislodged from the leg veins and block the blood vessels in the lungs.

There are 2 types of vena caval filters – permanent and retrievable. The latter are also called temporary filters, because they can be retrieved when no longer needed.

The procedure is performed under aseptic conditions in the angiography suite. During the procedure, local anaesthesia (pain killer) is injected into the skin at the access site to prevent discomfort. An injection of a mild sedative can also be given to ensure that you are comfortable and relaxed during the procedure. Using ultrasound guidance, the radiologist will then place a plastic tube called a sheath into the vein in the right side of your neck (internal jugular vein) or in the right groin (common femoral vein). X-ray contrast medium (dye) will then be injected into the inferior vena cava (IVC) while x-ray pictures are obtained, to make sure the IVC is patent. The radiologist will place the filter at the junction of the IVC and the lowest renal vein (vein from the kidneys).

IVC filters are placed either permanently or temporarily.

The radiologist will retrieve (remove) the filter when the filter is no longer clinically required. The procedure is performed under aseptic conditions in the angiography suite by an interventional radiologist (doctor). During the procedure, local anaesthesia (pain killer) is injected into the skin at the access site to prevent discomfort. An injection of a mild sedative can also be given to ensure that you are comfortable and relaxed during the procedure.

This is usually performed through a pin hole access in the neck vein. Venogram is performed and then the filter is retrieved using a snare kit. The filter may be left permanently inside the body if long term filter protection is needed or it could not be retrieved due to technical difficulty.