What Happens When an IVC Filter Catches a Clot?

Dr.Abhishek Bansal, 3 mins read

An inferior vena cava (IVC) filter is a small device placed in the vena cava to stop blood clots from entering the lungs. The inferior vena cava is a large vein in the middle of the body. 

An IVC filter catches the clots. On continued anticoagulation, the clots dissolve eventually. After a few months, the filter can be removed with a minimally invasive procedure.

What Is an IVC Filter?

An inferior vena cava filter is a small device. It is fixed into the inferior vena cava, a large vein in the abdomen, through a small procedure. This filter looks like a mesh that allows the blood to pass through but stops the blood clots. 

Why Does Someone Need an IVC Filter?

Our body has a network of blood vessels, which are primarily categorised into two types: arteries and veins. Arteries supply blood from the heart to the whole body, whereas veins carry blood back from the body to the heart.

The veins connect to the vena cavas, the largest veins, which carry blood to the heart. Vena cava are of two types: Superior and inferior. Superior vena cava carries blood from the upper body, whereas inferior vena cava carries blood from the lower body. 

This blood then goes to the lungs from the heart for oxygenation. This is a usual process. But when any of your veins develop clots, there is a risk that these clots can enter the lungs. If this happens, it can lead to pulmonary embolism, a condition wherein the blood flow to lungs gets affected, which can be life-threatening.  

In most cases, the clot develops in the deep veins in the legs. This condition is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A DVT is a serious condition that can cause swelling, tenderness, and pain in legs. In some cases, a large clot in the deep vein can travel to lungs through inferior vena cava. In such a situation, an IVC filter can be helpful to prevent clots from entering the lungs. 

How Is an IVC Filter Placed?

There is a very simple, minimally invasive, and daycare procedure to place the IVC filter. The doctor will pass a catheter in a vein through your groin or neck. The catheter is equipped with a collapsed IVC filter. Using image-guidance, the doctor gently moves the catheter towards the inferior vena cava. 

After reaching the targeted spot, the IVC filter is released, and the catheter is removed. The filter then expands and attaches to the wall of the inferior vena cava. 

What Happens to the IVC Filter After Catching a Clot?

When a clot is caught in the IVC filter, the clot starts dissolving gradually, while the patient is on anti-coagulant medicines. This way, the filter stops the clot from entering the lungs. The IVC filter can remain inside permanently, which is rare or can be removed after some time (generally recommended). 

At Aakash Healthcare, we have an experienced team of interventional radiologists to treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and prevent its complications, like pulmonary embolism. Consult our experts now!