Inferior Vena Cava Filter

Pulmonary embolism is caused by the accumulation of dislodged bodies in the lungs. The condition affects over 600,000 individuals a year in the U.S., causing approximately 120,000 deaths. The most common form of pulmonary embolism is thromboembolism, which is caused by dislodged blood clots. The primary means of thromboembolism therapy has been thrombolytics, with anticoagulation treatment being the standard therapy for patients with deep vein thrombosis. Individuals who suffer accidents and are immobile for a long period of time have a high chance of developing pulmonary embolism. In addition, surgical interventions such as knee replacements, trauma treatments, and abdominal operations can also trigger the condition. Other risk factors are advanced age, hyper-coagulation diseases, and morbid obesity.

Inferior vena cava filters (IVCF) work by catching thrombus before they enter the circulatory system of the lungs. Because standard therapeutic interventions do not have optimum results, physicians are increasingly relying on the use of these metal filters, which are placed in the inferior vena cava to prevent pulmonary embolism. IVCF’s were initially placed in patients already suffering from deep vein thrombosis, but now more than half are being used prophylatically in patients known to be at risk; particularly patients who cannot be subjected to anti-coagulants for various reasons.