Question:
I am having the filters put in. How do they do this? are you awake?does it hurt?

   — Henry S. (posted on October 4, 2001)

October 4, 2001
This is the first time I've heard of filters. What is it? What does it do? Thanks,
   — Betty Todd

October 4, 2001
Same here.... please tell us what this is about..Thanks sharon
   — Sharon F.

October 4, 2001
Greenfield filters are to keep blood clots from going into your lungs and heart. They are basically inserted into your groin area and pushed up through the veins to (I believe) your pelvic area. Alot of doctors use them for people who are at a higher risk of getting blood clots. I haven't had them, but I have been told that they are a little painful to have put in.(Worth it I'm sure) they will give you something for pain before they put them in.
   — K T.

October 4, 2001
I looked up on Google and found this site that explains the filter - http://www.greenfieldfilter.com/ - hope it helps.
   — georgiacarol

October 4, 2001
The Greenfield filter is a small metal filter that is permanently implanted in the major vein of the body that extends from the pelvis to the heart. The filter is designed to "catch" any blood clots that may be traveling from the legs toward the heart, lungs, and brain. Once implanted, it becomes a permanent part of the body and cannot be removed. The procedure is routinely performed in the radiology department or outpatient surgery, and takes less than an hour. However, most patients are given IV sedation beforehand and need a little time to wake up before they can go home. The filter is placed through either one of the large veins in the neck or the groin area. If the neck vein is used, the patient is usually discharged as soon as they wake up. If the groin area is used, there is an increased chance of bleeding at the insertion site, so those patients are maintained on "bedrest" and observed for several hours before discharge. My husband had the filter placed in January, one month before his RNY. He said that the IV sedation was great....he didn't remember anything at all about the procedure, was aggravated that he had to "lay around" for 4 hours afterward, and only had a little soreness in his groin for a day or two. He has had no problems or side-effects from the procedure and is relieved that he will not have to worry about pulmonary emboli anymore. Best wishes!
   — Diana T.

May 29, 2002
Well, just to add to the knowledge. I had one inserted recently, due to a history of deep vein thrombosis with no evident cause. The Greenfield filter is a small metal object that looks like an umbrella. At the tip of each umbrella tine is a small hook. The surgeon enters the the vein in your right leg ( not sure the name of this one ) that runs up and connects to the vena cava (vein where the two legs join and go to the lungs ). A small wire is guided up your vena cava to about midway between the pelvis and heart. Then a small tube is guided along that wire until it is in the correct position. The surgeon then injects a dye to confirm poisition, and inserts the Greenfield filter through the tube. Once the filter leaves the end of the tube, the umbrella opens and the small hooks grab into the walls of the vena cava vein. The surgeon then injects dye one more time to ensure the free flow of blood through the filter. The filter is designed to catch clots travelling from the legs to the lungs, and hold them in place until they are naturally dissolved by the body. The whole procedure took about an hour for me, and I was sore for about 2 days afterword in the groin, but nothing major.
   — Greg P.