Inferior Vena Cava Filter Removal

What you should know

• Inferior vena cava filter removal is surgery to remove a filter which was placed in a previous surgery. The inferior vena cava, also called IVC, is a large blood vessel found in your abdomen (stomach). It starts at your abdomen and ends at your heart, inside your chest. The IVC brings blood from the lower parts of your body back to your heart. An IVC filter is a specially shaped mesh made of very thin wires that acts like a strainer for your blood. An IVC filter is usually needed if you have blood clots, a pulmonary embolism, or deep venous thrombosis. Pulmonary embolism is when blood clots clog blood vessels in your lungs, causing trouble breathing, chest pain, and can result in death. It may also be needed after trauma (such as a head injury or pelvis fracture), or if you cannot use medicine to thin your blood.
  
  
• An IVC filter is usually removed when your health condition improves. It may be removed when you are no longer at risk of having blood clots. It may also be removed when your bleeding stops or when you are allowed to take blood-thinners. Your caregiver will tell you when the IVC filter may be removed. He will remove it using a special catheter with a small hook on its tip to catch the filter. The catheter is pulled out together with the IVC filter.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Risks

• There are always risks with surgery, including infection and bleeding. You may get a blood clot in your leg or arm. This can cause pain and swelling, and it can stop blood from flowing where it needs to go in your body. The blood clot can break loose and travel to your lungs. A blood clot in your lungs can cause chest pain and trouble breathing. This problem can be life-threatening.
  
  
• Your IVC and the tissue around it may get damaged. Some IVC filters may not be removable because they become loose and have changed position. Ask your caregiver if you have any questions or concerns about your condition, treatment, or care.

Getting Ready

The week before your surgery:

• Ask a family member or friend to drive you home after your surgery. Do not drive yourself home.
  
  
• Ask your caregiver if you need to stop using aspirin or any other prescribed or over-the-counter medicine before your procedure or surgery.
  
  
• Bring your medicine bottles or a list of your medicines when you see your caregiver. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to any medicine. Tell your caregiver if you use any herbs, food supplements, or over-the-counter medicine.
  
  
• If you have diabetes, ask your caregiver for special instructions about what you may eat and drink before your surgery. If you use medicine to treat diabetes, your caregiver may have special instructions about using it before surgery. You may need to check your blood sugar more often before and after having surgery.
  
  
• If you are a woman, tell your caregiver if you know or think you are pregnant.
  
  
• You may need to have different blood and urine tests. Imaging tests such as x-rays and doppler ultrasound may also be done. Ask your caregiver for more information about these and other tests that you may need. Write down the date, time, and location of each test.

The night before your surgery:

• You may be given medicine to help you sleep.
  
  
• Ask caregivers about directions for eating and drinking.

The day of your surgery:

• Write down the correct date, time, and location of your surgery.
  
  
• If you wear contact lenses, do not wear them on the day of your procedure or surgery. Glasses may be worn.
  
  
• What to bring: You may want to bring items such as a toothbrush and bathrobe.
  
  
• Ask your caregiver before taking any medicine on the day of your surgery. These medicines include insulin, diabetic pills, high blood pressure pills, or heart pills. Bring all the medicines you are taking, including the pill bottles, with you to the hospital.
  
  
• Caregivers may insert an intravenous tube (IV) into your vein. A vein in the arm is usually chosen. Through the IV tube, you may be given liquids and medicine.
  
  
• An anesthesiologist may talk to you before your surgery. This caregiver may give you medicine to make you sleepy before your procedure or surgery. Tell your caregiver if you or anyone in your family has had a problem using anesthesia in the past.
  
  
• You or a close family member will be asked to sign a legal document called a consent form. It gives caregivers permission to do the procedure or surgery. It also explains the problems that may happen, and your choices. Make sure all your questions are answered before you sign this form.

Treatment

What will happen:

• You will be asked to change into a hospital gown. You will be given medicine to help you relax or make you drowsy. You will be taken on a stretcher to the room where the surgery will be done. You will lie on your back. Anesthesia medicine will be given to keep you asleep and free from pain during the surgery. Your skin will be cleaned and covered with clean sheets to keep the surgery area clean. Your caregiver may choose a blood vessel in your neck or groin for the surgery.
  
  
• During surgery, a catheter (thin plastic tube) will be inserted in your blood vessel. An ultrasound or fluoroscope (x-ray) is used to guide the catheter into your IVC. It will be pushed until the tip reaches the IVC filter. The hook at the tip of the catheter catches and pulls the IVC filter. Your caregiver will pull out both the IVC filter and the catheter together. Your caregiver will press firmly on the area where the catheter went in, to stop any bleeding. After a few minutes, your caregiver will put a bandage on the area.

After your surgery:

You may be taken to a recovery room until you are fully awake. Caregivers will watch you closely for any problems. Do not get out of bed until your caregiver says it is OK. When caregivers see that you are OK, you will be taken back to your hospital room. The bandages used to cover your wound keep the area clean and dry to prevent infection. A caregiver may remove the bandages to check your wound.

Waiting area:

This is an area where your family and friends can wait until you are able to have visitors. Ask your visitors to provide a way to reach them if they leave the waiting area.

Contact a caregiver if

• You cannot make it to your appointment on time.
  
  
• You have a fever.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your surgery.

Seek Care Immediately if

• You have a fever.
  
  
• You have trouble breathing, chest pain, feel faint, or your skin suddenly turns blue.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.