title: Vascular disease patient information page. Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters.
abstract: IVC filters are medical devices that are placed in the large vein of the abdomen to prevent blood clots from traveling from the veins of the legs to the lungs. They are most commonly used when a patient cannot receive blood thinners to treat leg blood clots (DVT). IVC filter insertion can be done as an outpatient under local anesthesia, with only a puncture to a vein in the leg or neck. Most IVC filters are designed to be removed when no longer necessary. IVC filter complications are uncommon.
authors.affiliation: Section of Vascular Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA evansn2@ccf.org.
authors.forename: Natalie S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Center for Vascular Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Ratchford
mesh_terms: D020878:Device Removal; D006801:Humans; D010690:Phlebography; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016306:Vena Cava Filters / Q000009:adverse effects; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*