What is inferior vena cava filter removal?
Inferior vena cava filter removal is surgery to remove a filter which was placed in your inferior vena cava. The inferior vena cava, or IVC, is a large blood vessel found in your abdomen (stomach). It begins at your abdomen, and continues up to your heart, inside your chest. The IVC brings blood from the lower parts of your body back to your heart. During the procedure, a catheter (thin plastic tube) is inserted into the blood vessels in your neck or groin. A doppler ultrasound or fluoroscope (x-ray) is used to guide the catheter into your IVC. The catheter is pulled out together with the IVC filter. What is an inferior vena cava filter? An IVC filter is a specially shaped mesh made of very thin wires. It is placed in the center of the IVC to trap blood clots going to your heart. This helps prevent the blood clots from blocking blood vessels in your lungs and causing serious problems. The following are the types of IVC filters: • Permanent filters: These filters are left firmly in the
