Inferior vena cava filter
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An inferior vena cava filter is a medical device made of metal that is implanted by vascular surgeons or interventional radiologists into the inferior vena cava to prevent a life-threatening pulmonary embolism (PE) or venous thromboembolism (VTE).[2][3]
Inferior vena cava filter | |
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Other names | IVC filter |
Specialty | Cardiovascular |
The filter is designed to trap a blood clot and prevent its travel to the lung where it would form a pulmonary embolism.[4][3] Their effectiveness and safety profile is well established, and they may be used when anticoagulant treatment is not sufficient.[5]
Results from the PREPIC study and other studies which have shown many long-term complications of IVC filters led to the introduction of retrievable IVC filters.[6] The first retrievable IVC filters were approved by FDA in 2003 and 2004.[7]
In 2012, the American College of Chest Physicians recommended IVC filters for those with contraindications to anticoagulation who either have acute PE or acute proximal deep vein thrombosis (above the knee).[8][9]