Iliocaval Vein Stent Placement

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 2, 2025.

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What do I need to know about iliocaval vein (ICV) stent placement?

ICV stent placement is a procedure to widen blocked veins and improve blood flow. The iliocaval vein is made up of the iliac veins and the inferior vena cava. Iliac veins are located in your pelvis and carry blood from your legs and lower body. The inferior vena cava is a large vein in your abdomen that brings blood from your lower body back to your heart. A stent is a wire mesh tube that helps hold a vein open.

How do I prepare for ICV stent placement?

• Your healthcare provider will tell you how to prepare. Your provider may tell you not to eat or drink after midnight on the day of your procedure. Arrange to have someone drive you home after you are discharged.
• Tell your provider about all your current medicines. Your provider will tell you if you need to start or stop taking any medicine for the procedure, and when to do so.
• Tell your provider about any allergies you have, including to medicines, anesthesia, stainless steel, nickel, or titanium.
• You may be given an antibiotic to help prevent a bacterial infection. Contrast liquid may be used during your procedure. Tell your provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to antibiotics or contrast liquid.
• You may need blood tests, an x-ray, or an ultrasound before your procedure. Talk to your provider about these or other tests you may need.

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What will happen during the procedure?

• You may be given general anesthesia to keep you asleep and free from pain during your procedure. You may instead be given IV sedation to make you feel calm and relaxed during the procedure. You may also be given local anesthesia to numb the area. With local anesthesia, you may still feel pressure or pushing but you should not feel any pain.
• Your healthcare provider will insert a catheter into a blood vessel in your groin, leg, or neck. A guidewire will be placed through the catheter and up into the narrowed or blocked vein. Contrast liquid may be used to help your provider see your veins more clearly on the x-ray. You may feel warm when the contrast liquid is injected. Your provider may use a balloon to help open your vein. A stent will be inserted through the catheter and placed into the blocked vein. The stent will expand to keep your vein open.
• Your provider will remove the catheter and wire. Your provider may close the catheter site with clamps, stitches, or other devices. Pressure will be applied to the catheter site for several minutes to stop any bleeding. A pressure bandage or other pressure device may be placed over the catheter site to help prevent bleeding.

What should I expect after the procedure?

• You will be taken to a room to rest. Healthcare providers will monitor your vital signs and pulses in your leg or neck. Your provider will check your pressure bandage for bleeding or swelling.
• You will need to lie flat with your leg straight for 2 to 4 hours. Do not get out of bed until your healthcare provider says it is okay. Movement too soon after your procedure can cause serious bleeding. Your provider will tell you if you need to stay in the hospital overnight. Healthcare providers will continue to monitor your heartbeat, blood pressure, and catheter site.
• You may have back pain after stent placement. Back pain can be severe for 7 to 10 days and should improve in 1 month.

What are the risks of ICV stent placement?

You may bleed more than expected or develop an infection. You may have bruising or pain where the catheter was inserted. The catheter may damage your blood vessels and cause bleeding. You may need surgery to repair the damage or to stop the bleeding. You may develop a blood clot in your legs, lungs, or around your stent. Your stent may break, move, or get blocked. You may need another procedure to fix these problems with your stent. The contrast liquid may cause kidney damage or an allergic reaction.

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