IVC Filter Removal
Date issued: November 2024
For review: November 2026
Ref: B-524/LD/Radiology/IVC Filter Removal
PDF: IVC Filter Removal.pdf [pdf] 217KB
This leaflet tells you about having an IVC Filter removal. It explains what is involved and what the possible risks are. It is not meant to replace informed discussion between you and your doctor but can act as a starting point for such discussions. If you have any questions about the procedure, please ask the doctor who has referred you or the department which is going to perform it.
Referral and consent
The referring clinician should have discussed the reasons for this examination with you in the clinic and you should make sure that you understand these before attending. You will be referred to an Interventional Radiologist for this procedure. Interventional Radiologists are doctors who have trained and specialised in imaging and x-ray treatments.
Before the procedure you will need to sign a consent form, if one hasn’t been previously completed. This is a legal requirement and ensures that you are fully informed about your procedure.
If after discussion with your hospital doctor or Interventional Radiologist, you do not want this examination then you can decide against it. If the radiologist feels that your condition has changed or that your symptoms do not indicate such a procedure is necessary, then they will explain this to you and communicate with the referring clinician. You will return to your referring clinician for review.
At all times the radiologist and referring clinician will be acting in your best interests.
What is an IVC Filter Removal?
An IVC filter is a small metal device designed to prevent blood clots from travelling to the lungs. This will have been placed in the inferior vena cava (the large vein that takes blood back to the heart) on a previous visit to our department. This procedure is similar but involves removing the retrievable filter.
Why do you need the filter removed
Your doctor has decided that you are no longer at risk from a pulmonary embolus (PE) and you can remain on anticoagulants.
Are there any risks?
IVC filter removal is a very safe procedure and is normally carried out with no significant side effects at all. However, as with any medical procedure, there are some risks and complications that can arise.
A small bruise (haematoma) around the site of the needle can occur, but this is quite normal.
Very rarely there may be damage to the vein or blockage of the IVC.
Extremely rarely, the filter can migrate which may cause issues with removal.
If there is clot in the filter, then it is not safe to remove it. This will be discussed with you at your appointment.
If the filter cannot be retrieved then this can cause significant problems, including death.
The filter can fracture (break) and travel to the heart or lungs.
Allergic reactions to the contrast agent (dye) are also possible but are very rarely serious.
If you are pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant you should notify the department. A baby in the womb may be more sensitive to radiation than an adult. There is no problem with something like an x-ray of the hand or chest because the radiation field is at a safe distance from the foetus. However, special precautions are required for examinations where the womb is in, or near, the beam of radiation. If you are a female of childbearing age the radiographer will ask you if there is any chance of you being pregnant before the examination begins and you will be asked to sign a form. If there is a possibility of pregnancy, then your case will be discussed with the team looking after you to decide whether or not to recommend postponing the investigation.
There will be occasions when diagnosing and treating your illness is essential for your health and where the benefit clearly outweighs the small radiation risks. The procedure may go ahead after discussing all the options with you.
Are you required to make any special preparations?
An IVC filter removal is usually carried out as a day case procedure under local anaesthetic.
You may eat and drink as normal unless sedation has been discussed beforehand with the referring team/radiologist.
Before coming into hospital, you will have been asked about certain risk factors for vascular disease, unless you come into hospital as an emergency.
These factors include checking your blood pressure; your kidney function and making sure you are not on treatment for diabetes or blood clots.
If you are taking warfarin, this will be stopped before the procedure and you may require admission to hospital to give you an alternative. If you are diabetic, your doctors will advise you about any changes needed to your normal medication. If you have any allergies or have previously had a reaction to the dye (contrast agent), you must tell the radiology staff before you have the test.
Your team will have discussed with the radiologist what to do with your anticoagulation before and after the procedure. You will be notified of this.
Who will you see?
A specially trained team led by an Interventional Radiologist within the radiology department. Interventional radiologists have special expertise in reading the images and using imaging to guide catheters and wires to aid diagnosis and treatment.
Where will the procedure take place?
If you are having the procedure as a day case, then you will attend PIU/Postbridge ward prior. You will be asked to get undressed and put on a hospital gown. A small cannula (thin tube) may be placed into a vein in your arm.
Our porters will collect you and bring you to the interventional radiology suite which is located within
X-ray East. This is similar to an operating theatre into which specialised X-ray equipment has been installed.
What happens during an IVC Filter Removal?
Before the examination, the Interventional Radiologist will explain the procedure and ask you to sign a consent form. Please feel free to ask any questions that you may have and, remember that even at this stage, you can decide against going ahead with the procedure if you so wish.
You will be asked to lie on the X-ray table flat on your back. The X-ray machine will be positioned above you. You may have monitoring devices attached to your chest and finger and may be given oxygen.
An IVC Filter Removal is performed under sterile conditions and the interventional radiologist and radiology nurse will wear sterile gowns and gloves to carry out the procedure.
Your skin on the right side of your neck will be swabbed with antiseptic and you will be covered with sterile drapes. The skin and deeper tissues over the blood vessel will be numbed with local anaesthetic.
A fine tube (catheter) will be inserted into the jugular vein in your neck and guided, using the X-ray equipment into the correct position so that the IVC filter can be removed safely.
Will it hurt?
It may sting a little when the local anaesthetic is injected.
How long will it take?
Every patient's situation is different, and it is not always easy to predict how complex or how straightforward the procedure will be. As a guide, expect to be in the X-ray department for about an hour and a half altogether.
What happens afterwards?
You will be taken back to your ward. Nursing staff will carry out routine observations including pulse and blood pressure and will also check the treatment site. You will generally stay in bed for a few hours, until you have recovered and are ready to go home.
However, in certain circumstances you may be required to stay in hospital overnight.
You will need someone to drive you home and ensure that an able-bodied person remains with you until morning.
Other Risks
IVC Filter Removal is a very safe procedure but as with any procedure or operation complications are possible. We have included the most common risks and complications in this leaflet.
We are all exposed to natural background radiation every day of our lives. This comes from the sun, food we eat, and the ground. Each examination gives a dose on top of this natural background radiation.
Any exposure to ionising radiation (e.g. X-rays) has the potential to cause cancer later in life. This is much lower than the risk we all have of developing cancer in our life of ~ 1 in 3 and will be considered by the doctor before your procedure.
For information about the effects of X-rays read the publication: “X-rays how safe are they” on the Health Protection Agency
Finally
Some of your questions should have been answered by this leaflet but remember that this is only a starting point for discussion about your treatment with the doctors looking after you. Make sure you are satisfied that you have received enough information about the procedure.
Contact
Interventional Radiology Department
01752 430838 - IR Co-ordinator
01752 432063 – Bookings Clerk
Additional Information
Bus services:
There are regular bus services to Derriford Hospital. Please contact:
Car parking:
Hospital car parking is available to all patients and visitors. Spaces are limited so please allow plenty of time to locate a car parking space. A charge is payable.
Park and Ride:
Buses (1/1A/42C/34) run from the George Junction Park and Ride Mon-Sat (except Bank Holidays) every 15/20 mins from 6am. The last bus leaves the hospital at 11:30pm.
Plympton Park and Ride (52) runs from Coypool Park and Ride.
Parking is free although you will need to purchase a ticket to travel on the bus.
Patient Transport:
For patients unable to use private or public transport please contact The Patient Transport Service:
Devon GP: 0345 155 1009
Cornwall GP: 01872 252211
