A medical device which is placed into the inferior vena cava to reduce the possibility of a person to suffer from pulmonary embolism is called an IVC filter. This is put into the proper place with the help of a catheter, and it's commonly performed on an outpatient procedure. A vascular surgeon or an interventional radiologist may perform such.
The device is made from very thin wires, having a mesh-like structure which resembles an umbrella. It's designed that way to be able to catch blood clot coming from the lower portion of the body, preventing it from getting into the heart or lungs. Some designs are permanent so they don't have to be taken out afterwards. Others are temporary or retrievable, capable of being removed in place even after a long period of time.
There are various reasons why an individual has to be implanted with the device. One is when anticoagulants fail to work. Anticoagulants are medications which thin the blood and prevent it from clotting. Likewise, it can also dissolve clots. Another reason is when intake of anticoagulants isn't recommendable, such as when certain conditions are around.
Anticoagulants may have trouble dissolving large clots. Individuals who are detected with such are usually advised to get the device implanted in them. A person who has recently undergone an injury like a head trauma or fracture in the pelvis may require it. Those who are susceptible to having pulmonary embolism or have had deep vein thrombosis before may also be advised by a doctor to get the device.
Blood clots should be kept out of the lungs. When pulmonary embolism takes place, a clot blocks the supply of blood in some parts of the lungs. Someone who has it may experience troubled breathing, chest pain and dizziness. Bluish skin color is also observed on the individual due to oxygen deprivation. In some instances, it can also cause death.
The device is placed into the inferior vena cava through some large veins in the body. They include the femoral (groin), jugular (neck) and basilic (arm) veins. Inserted into any of these is a catheter, a thin rubber tube. The device is pushed into this catheter, guided by the use of a Doppler ultrasound. Fluoroscopic guidance, or x-ray, may also be used when contrast dye is injected before the procedure.
Before the only means to put the device in place is surgery. However, changes in its design now permit health care providers to insert them using only a catheter. Local anesthesia is often used, sometimes with drugs to help relax the patient. But there are times when general anesthesia use may be advised by the health care provider.
Again, it may be left in place or retrieved after some time, depending on its design. A temporary IVC filter is different from a permanent one in such a way that a small knob or hook is found on one end. It's also capable of collapsing. Because of these features, a temporary one may be safely taken out of the inferior vena cava via a catheter. But this may also be allowed to remain in place.
The device is made from very thin wires, having a mesh-like structure which resembles an umbrella. It's designed that way to be able to catch blood clot coming from the lower portion of the body, preventing it from getting into the heart or lungs. Some designs are permanent so they don't have to be taken out afterwards. Others are temporary or retrievable, capable of being removed in place even after a long period of time.
There are various reasons why an individual has to be implanted with the device. One is when anticoagulants fail to work. Anticoagulants are medications which thin the blood and prevent it from clotting. Likewise, it can also dissolve clots. Another reason is when intake of anticoagulants isn't recommendable, such as when certain conditions are around.
Anticoagulants may have trouble dissolving large clots. Individuals who are detected with such are usually advised to get the device implanted in them. A person who has recently undergone an injury like a head trauma or fracture in the pelvis may require it. Those who are susceptible to having pulmonary embolism or have had deep vein thrombosis before may also be advised by a doctor to get the device.
Blood clots should be kept out of the lungs. When pulmonary embolism takes place, a clot blocks the supply of blood in some parts of the lungs. Someone who has it may experience troubled breathing, chest pain and dizziness. Bluish skin color is also observed on the individual due to oxygen deprivation. In some instances, it can also cause death.
The device is placed into the inferior vena cava through some large veins in the body. They include the femoral (groin), jugular (neck) and basilic (arm) veins. Inserted into any of these is a catheter, a thin rubber tube. The device is pushed into this catheter, guided by the use of a Doppler ultrasound. Fluoroscopic guidance, or x-ray, may also be used when contrast dye is injected before the procedure.
Before the only means to put the device in place is surgery. However, changes in its design now permit health care providers to insert them using only a catheter. Local anesthesia is often used, sometimes with drugs to help relax the patient. But there are times when general anesthesia use may be advised by the health care provider.
Again, it may be left in place or retrieved after some time, depending on its design. A temporary IVC filter is different from a permanent one in such a way that a small knob or hook is found on one end. It's also capable of collapsing. Because of these features, a temporary one may be safely taken out of the inferior vena cava via a catheter. But this may also be allowed to remain in place.
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