VENA CAVA FILTERS

The clot in patients with deep vein thrombosis can sometimes break away and travel to the brain or lungs causing a stroke or pulmonary embolism respectively. A vena cava filter is a special device inserted into the vena cava to prevent this movement of clots.

It is large enough to allow blood and small particles to pass through but small enough to block clots. The filter can be inserted at your local vein center in Jackson Heights to trap the clot fragments and prevent it from causing severe complications and even death. Vena cava filters are particularly suitable for patients at high risk or for those being treated for clots. They are also suitable for patients that cannot take anticoagulants such as warfarin for various reasons.

There is a variety of vena cava filters and your Jackson Heights cardiologist will select the most appropriate one for your condition. Some filters are permanently placed devices, whereas newer ones can be removed from the blood vessel later. The procedure can be performed in an outpatient setting with the minimal use of a local anesthetic.

Imaging techniques are used to guide the filter into place to ensure accuracy. The filter is inserted through a catheter into a large vein in either the groin or the neck and guided slowly into the vena cava.

The insertion of a vena cava filter is a relatively safe and painless procedure – your heart doctor in Jackson Heights will discuss the specific risks and potential benefits with you. During the consultation with your heart doctor it is important that you inform him/her of any medications you are taking as well as any conditions you suffer from. You may be advised to discontinue certain medications for a few days before the procedure. Additionally, you may be required to undergo basic pre-procedural tests to ensure the safety of the entire procedure.