What is the Vena Cava filter?

and the Vena Cava filter is a medical device that is used to reduce the risk of lung embolism (PE), an event in which a large clot enters the lungs. Lung embolisms can cause serious health problems, including death, and a number of approaches can be used to make patients less susceptible to PE, including the implantation of the Vena Cava filter. If the physician recommends that such a device be implanted, it may be performed as an outpatient procedure in a hospital or clinic.

Vena cava is a large vein that brings blood from the lower body to the heart. In patients with clotting disorders or with the presence of clots in the lower body, these clots may go on a journey to the veno Cava into the lungs and hearts, which is not desirable. Anticoagulant drugs are often used to control or break the clots, but these drugs do not always work and some patients are exposed to high risk of PE due to the presence of existing clots, in which case the physician may recommend the Vena Cava filter. The filter isUsually installed in the lower vena cava, part of the vein that passes through the abdomen and is inserted through the blood vessel into a minor invasive procedure.

Before inserting the filter, the radiologist inserts the contrasting dye used to determine the best location. Then the filter is carefully maneuated to the site and stayed there. The contrasting dye will be re -injected to confirm that the Vena Cava filter is placed correctly. Local anesthetic is usually used to proceed and patients may be administered against anti -Xiky for relaxation. In some cases, general anesthesia can be used to place the vena Cava.

Many Many Vena Cava filters are designed to remain permanently in place. The physician will monitor the patient's condition to confirm that the filter is still working and to make the necessary treatment in the patient's treatment plan. Other filters are removable, with a design that can be collapsed to pull out the filterl into the catheter to be safely pulled out of the body. The removable Vena Cava filter can be used in circumstances where your doctor thinks that the device will only be required temporarily, rather than in the long run.