How should I prepare for the procedure?
You should not to eat or drink anything after midnight before your procedure.
You may need to stop taking aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or blood thinners for a specified period of time before your procedure. If you are diabetic and take insulin, you will receive instructions on eating and insulin dose from your doctor. Your usual insulin dose may need to be adjusted on the day of the procedure.
Our doctors will review your medical chart and give you specific instructions prior to your scheduled procedure day.
You should plan to have a relative or friend drive you home after your procedure.
You may need to stop taking aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or blood thinners for a specified period of time before your procedure. If you are diabetic and take insulin, you will receive instructions on eating and insulin dose from your doctor. Your usual insulin dose may need to be adjusted on the day of the procedure.
Our doctors will review your medical chart and give you specific instructions prior to your scheduled procedure day.
You should plan to have a relative or friend drive you home after your procedure.
Day of the procedure
If you are coming from home you will check in at the Sky Lobby (7th floor) of the Center for Care and Discovery one hour before your procedure. After you check in with the receptionist, you and your family will be escorted to the prep area. Here, you will change into a hospital gown. You may also be asked to remove jewelry, eye glasses and any metal objects or clothing that might interfere with the x-ray images. A brief physical exam will then be done. Our staff will also review your health history, medications, and allergies.
You should report to the medical staff all medications that you are taking, including herbal supplements, and if you have any allergies, especially to local anesthetic medications, general anesthesia or to contrast dye (x-ray dye) that contains iodine.
Women should also inform us if there is any possibility that they are pregnant. Many imaging tests are not performed during pregnancy so as not to expose the fetus to radiation. But if an x-ray is necessary, precautions will be taken to minimize radiation exposure to the baby.
An IV (into the vein) line is placed in your arm or hand to allow us to administer IV sedation medications. After reviewing the procedure and asking any questions you may have, you will be asked to sign a consent form.
Prior to your procedure, your blood may be tested to determine how well your kidneys are functioning and whether your blood clots normally.
You should report to the medical staff all medications that you are taking, including herbal supplements, and if you have any allergies, especially to local anesthetic medications, general anesthesia or to contrast dye (x-ray dye) that contains iodine.
Women should also inform us if there is any possibility that they are pregnant. Many imaging tests are not performed during pregnancy so as not to expose the fetus to radiation. But if an x-ray is necessary, precautions will be taken to minimize radiation exposure to the baby.
An IV (into the vein) line is placed in your arm or hand to allow us to administer IV sedation medications. After reviewing the procedure and asking any questions you may have, you will be asked to sign a consent form.
Prior to your procedure, your blood may be tested to determine how well your kidneys are functioning and whether your blood clots normally.
What does the equipment look like?
In this procedure, a small catheter, iodine contrast (x-ray dye), x-ray equipment, as well as ultrasound equipment are used. A catheter is a long, thin plastic tube that is considerably smaller than a "pencil lead", or approximately 1/8 inch in diameter.
The x-ray equipment typically used for this examination consists of an x-ray table, an x-ray tube and a television-like monitor that is located in the procedure room. Fluoroscopy, which converts x-rays into video images, is used to watch and guide progress of the procedure.
Other equipment that may be used during the procedure includes an intravenous line (IV), ultrasound machine and devices that monitor your heart beat and blood pressure.
The x-ray equipment typically used for this examination consists of an x-ray table, an x-ray tube and a television-like monitor that is located in the procedure room. Fluoroscopy, which converts x-rays into video images, is used to watch and guide progress of the procedure.
Other equipment that may be used during the procedure includes an intravenous line (IV), ultrasound machine and devices that monitor your heart beat and blood pressure.
How does the procedure work?
Using image guidance, a catheter is inserted through the skin into a large vein in the neck or groin and advanced to the inferior vena cava in the abdomen. The IVC filter is then placed through the catheter and into the vein. Once it is in the correct position, the interventional radiologist will release the filter, allowing it to fully expand and attach itself to the walls of the blood vessel.
What will I experience during and after the procedure?
Devices to monitor your heart rate and blood pressure will be attached to your body. The doctor will administer sedative and pain medications just before starting the procedure. These medications will make you feel relaxed and sleepy. You may or may not remain awake, depending on how deeply you are sedated.
You will feel a slight pin prick when the needle is inserted into your vein for the intravenous line (IV) and when the local anesthetic is injected. You may feel slight pressure when the catheter is inserted, but no serious discomfort. As the contrast material passes through your body, you may get a warm feeling.
The entire procedure takes about 15 to 30 minutes.
After the procedure you will remain in the recovery room until you are completely awake and ready to return home or back to your hospital room. This recovery period usually lasts about 1 hour.
If you are going home, you will need a friend or family member to drive you because of the sedative and pain medications that you will have received.
You will feel a slight pin prick when the needle is inserted into your vein for the intravenous line (IV) and when the local anesthetic is injected. You may feel slight pressure when the catheter is inserted, but no serious discomfort. As the contrast material passes through your body, you may get a warm feeling.
The entire procedure takes about 15 to 30 minutes.
After the procedure you will remain in the recovery room until you are completely awake and ready to return home or back to your hospital room. This recovery period usually lasts about 1 hour.
If you are going home, you will need a friend or family member to drive you because of the sedative and pain medications that you will have received.
Post-procedure Care
If your IVC filter was inserted through a vein in your neck, you should be able to resume your normal activities within 24 hours. If your filter was inserted through a vein in your groin, you should avoid driving for 24 hours and lifting heavy objects and climbing stairs for 48 hours.
You may resume your regular diet immediately after the procedure.
We will provide you with additional post-procedure instructions specific to you on the day of the procedure.
If you develop any signs of swelling, bleeding or infection (fever, redness) after the procedure, contact our department immediately. A University of Chicago Radiologist is available on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You may resume your regular diet immediately after the procedure.
We will provide you with additional post-procedure instructions specific to you on the day of the procedure.
If you develop any signs of swelling, bleeding or infection (fever, redness) after the procedure, contact our department immediately. A University of Chicago Radiologist is available on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- During business hours (8 am - 5 pm), please call our clinic directly at (773) 702 - 6514.
- After business hours, please call the hospital operator at (773) 702 - 1000 and ask to speak with the Radiologist On Call.
Follow-up
After your filter is placed, our staff will schedule a follow up appointment in 3 months. The University of Chicago Department of Radiology has invented a unique electronic patient tracking system to make sure all of our patients receive the proper follow up. Our Interventional Radiologists were among the first doctors in the country to recognize the importance of close follow up to ensure timely filter retrieval and we are proud that our patients have benefitted from this foresight.
At your 3 month visit, our team will determine if it is safe to remove the filter. Not all IVC filters need to be retrieved. Some filters are left in place as permanent filters because certain patients remain at high risk for developing DVT or PE. Our doctors will discuss the risks and benefits of retrieving your filter to help you can make an educated decision. We will then schedule your filter retrieval procedure.
At your 3 month visit, our team will determine if it is safe to remove the filter. Not all IVC filters need to be retrieved. Some filters are left in place as permanent filters because certain patients remain at high risk for developing DVT or PE. Our doctors will discuss the risks and benefits of retrieving your filter to help you can make an educated decision. We will then schedule your filter retrieval procedure.
