Blood clots traveling from the legs to the lungs cause life-threatening pulmonary embolism.
Soris Pain & Vascular Institute places inferior vena cava (IVC) filters to catch dangerous clots before they reach the pulmonary arteries, protecting patients who cannot take blood thinners.
Soris Pain & Vascular Institute
IVC filter placement is a catheter-based procedure in which an interventional specialist inserts a small, umbrella-shaped metal device into the inferior vena cava, the largest vein carrying blood from the lower body to the heart.
The filter traps blood clots migrating from the deep leg veins before they enter the pulmonary circulation.
Our physicians place retrievable IVC filters at Soris Pain & Vascular Institute. Retrievable designs allow filter removal once the acute clot risk resolves, typically within 3 to 6 months.
Soris Pain & Vascular Institute recommends IVC filters for patients with active deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism who cannot take anticoagulants due to bleeding risk, recent surgery, or planned procedures. Filters also protect patients with recurrent PE despite adequate anticoagulation.
Procedure
Soris Pain & Vascular Institute reviews imaging to select the optimal filter position below the renal veins. Blood work and medication review are completed in advance.
A catheter enters through the femoral or jugular vein. The filter deploys inside the IVC under fluoroscopic guidance. Placement takes 30 to 45 minutes under local anesthesia.
Patients rest for 1 to 2 hours and return home the same day. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute schedules follow-up at 2 to 4 weeks and plans filter retrieval when clinically appropriate.
Benefits
The filter captures clots before they reach the lungs. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute uses this protection for patients who face high PE risk without anticoagulation coverage.
Modern retrievable filters avoid the complications of permanent implants. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute removes the filter once the patient can safely resume blood thinners.
When an IVC Filter Is Placed
IVC filters protect patients with deep vein thrombosis or a pulmonary embolism who cannot take anticoagulants. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute also places prophylactic filters for trauma patients and those undergoing high-risk surgery.
Clot damage to the leg veins often leaves Chronic Venous Insufficiency behind, which Soris Pain & Vascular Institute treats with Venous Ablation.
Collaboration
Our physicians perform IVC filter placement and retrieval at Soris Pain & Vascular Institute. All procedures use fluoroscopic guidance at our outpatient facilities.
FAQ
Soris Pain & Vascular Institute uses retrievable filters that can be removed within 3 to 6 months. Permanent placement is reserved for patients who need lifelong protection.
IVC filters capture most large clots migrating from the legs. Small clots may pass through. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute uses anticoagulation alongside filters when possible for comprehensive protection.
Complications are rare and include filter tilt, migration, and vessel perforation. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute uses the latest generation filters designed to minimize these risks.
Board-certified physicians bringing hospital-level, minimally invasive interventional procedures to outpatient centers.
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