IVC Filter

Hello all. Had my consult with Dr Lin yesterday...he wants me to get an IVC filter. I'm a nurse and have actually been present when they have been placed, but was wondering from a patient perspective, how is it to go through the process?

Erin

It was fine. I had no problems with it. I am glad I had it done and mine is still with me. I never had it removed. Since I had never had surgery and had never been in an OR, I liked having this experience a couple of days before my WLS. It gave me a chance to become acclimated. My favorite part was the warm toasty blanket!

DVR required me to get one : and I am so glad he did  - 18 months later I developed
a blood clot in my leg and the ER Dr said it was good that I had one.

I had no pain due to the filter

Hey Erin,

When I had my RNY 5 plus years ago, Dr Sofronski required ALL his patients to have an IVC filter.   The sound of it was actually scarier than the procedure.  I think hearing everyone talk about it I was more freaked out by the idea of the IVC than the RNY itself, but it was really no biggie at all.

I was awake for the whole procedure .. the anethesia was local.  I talked and joked with the staff throughout.  I was 'admitted' to Pennisula Medical Center in the sense that they put me in a room, I got undressed and prepped to go to the radiology suite for the procedure, then they brought me back to the room for 'recovery'.   The tough part was moving from the table in the radiology suite to the bed/gurney without moving the leg and the having to stay motionless for several hours post-procedure.   I think I was scheduled for 8 or 9 a.m. and was out of there and on my way back to Annapolis by 1 p.m

Being very well hydrated the prior day is definitely a plus!

Hugs, Mo

ok WHAT IS an IVC filter???

i'm betting bri is going to need one....

Here is a quickie definition from Web MD...

Vena cava filter

A vena cava filter is an umbrella-shaped barrier device that is inserted into the large vein that returns blood to the heart from the abdomen and legs (inferior vena cava). This filter helps prevent blood clots that form in the deep veins of the lower limbs from traveling to the lungs and heart where they may block blood flow.

Vena cava filters are inserted into the vena cava using a catheter inserted through a vein located in the neck or groin.

You can search for the variety of information on the internet about these.

How long does the filter stay in? Do you ever have the IVC removed? Do all wls patients need this? This is the 1st time I ever heard anything about this....

                                                                                       Julie

OK so this is something I too have never heard of.
I have a few questions about this IVC......
  1} if it is to prevent blood clots, how can someone whind up with a clot as Darla stated she did?
   2} is this something that most docs do? Any patients of Dr. Magnesun ever have one?
    3} Is this device permanent?
Any info would be great.......I had not heard of this until this post.....then I spoke to Lisa Z. a few minutes ago & she mentioned it & I remembered seeing this post.......
~heather

Hi Heather...here's my knowledge from a "nurse" perspective.

IVC stands for Inferior Vena Cava...it is a large vessel that blood travels through when it is returning from your lower body back to the heart.

It does not prevent clots from forming, but the filter is like a mesh "trap" sitting in the inferior vena cava and traps the clots as they move from the lower body back to the heart and lungs. Without the filter, the clot continues on to the heart and then the plumonary artery....if it isbig enough, the person dies instantly. But many of the clots are smaller and the person just develops extreme shortness of breath and usually ends up on blood thinners like Coumadin or Lovenox for an extended period of time.

I attended 3 different information sessions regarding bypass surgery given by 3 different MD's...two of them mentioned it, one did not.

The filter does not have to be permanent...depends on if your doctor still thinks you are at risk for clots.

To insert it, they usually go through the groin and thread it through the vessel under x-ray.

My doctor said they would place mine the same day as the surgery...I'd have the filter placed first and then go to the OR for my bypass. I was surprised that they would do them same day, but also relieved...one less trip to see a doctor.

Hope that helps.

I'm still interested in hearing from others as to how the experience getting the filter placed has been...even though I am a nurse and have been present when  these things have been placed, I still don't really know the patient perspective.

Thanks!!!
ERIN

The filter can be removed if you want : for up to a year I think - I made the decision
to leave it in.  The filter will not prevent bloodclots from forming :  but if they are in
your legs ( like mine was) it Will prevent the clot from traveling to the lungs
and heart :  which can be deadly.  The clot I had was broken up by medication-
I don't know what causes clots to form but I was assured it was not WLS related.

I woke up the day after thanksgiving with a terrible pain in my leg;  when It was still
there Saturday morning I went to the ER on the advice ( and hen pecking) of various
friends and relatives.   I left the ER with a script for cumadin and 5 days worth of
Louvenox  ( had to give myself needles).  Had I not had the filter I probably would
have been admitted to the hospital for a couple days.

It truly is not painful when it is put in :  infact I suggested that my sister speak with
her Dr about it -  shes had bloodclots in her lungs twice in the last 4 years.

She has been diagnosed with " thick blood syndrome"  which means she is
more susceptable ( sp?) to blood clots and strokes.  He told her she should remain on cumadin
for the rest of her life. I have been tested and am waiting on the results.  My Dr told me that if I do not have it I can come off the cumadin at the end of May.  Typical medical treatment after a bloodclot is apparently 6 months of cumadin therapy.