Inferior Vena Cava Filter Placement/Removal

Placement

An inferior vena cava filter is a small filtration device inserted by an Interventional Radiologist that prevents blood clots from reaching the lungs, which causes a pulmonary embolism. The inferior vena cava (IVC) is the vein that is largely responsible for returning oxygen-deficient blood from the lower body to the heart. The filter is placed by running a catheter up the IVC directed by image guidance technology. When the catheter releases the filter, it expands and attaches itself to the walls of the IVC. 

Removal

When the risk of a pulmonary embolism has passed, an IVC filter may be removed. This is done by running a catheter through the IVC to reach the filter. Once the catheter reaches the filter, the catheter grabs the IVC filter and both the filter and catheter are removed from the body.