Health Topics

An inferior vena cava filter is placed to help prevent the blood clots moving from the legs to the heart or lung.

The inferior vena cava or IVC is a large vein that enters the bottom part of the heart. Venous blood from the lower portion of the body drains into the IVC. The IVC then returns blood back to the heart.

A parent will be escorted with your child to the Interventional Radiology suite where you will meet the radiologist. The anesthesiologist will place a soft mask over your child's face with "sleepy gas". When your child falls asleep you will be escorted to the surgery waiting area until the procedure is complete.

The Interventional Radiologist places a small needle, then catheter into a vein in the groin or neck. Using fluoroscopy or "moving x-ray". The IVC filter is threaded through the catheter into the inferior vena cava below the kidneys.

Some IVC filters can be removed at a later date when your child's doctor feels it is safe to do so. Other IVC filters are permanent.  

When the procedure is completed, your child will be taken to the post anesthesia recovery unit where he / she will awake. You will join your child in there as soon as he / she is fully awake.

Your child will be able to return to normal activity within 48 to 72 hours.