An IVC filter can be removed successfully after 10 years or even longer, although the ideal window of time to remove an IVC filter is 3 months to 6 months.
But with advanced techniques like specialized snares as well as endovascular lasers, these tools now allow experience specialist to extract these IVC filters safely even after they've been embedded for decades.
The long term complications of the inferior vena cava filter are inferior vena cava thrombosis, (blood clot in the main vein), filter fracture or migration, and vein perforation, which are risks that increase significantly the longer a retrievable IVC filter remains inside the body.
The delayed as well as long term risk of the inferior vena cava filter remaining in place longer than necessary include.
IVC Thrombosis/Occlusion, which is when a blood clot can form inside the filter or block the vein entirely, leading to severe leg swelling, pain, and skin sores (post-thrombotic syndrome).
Filter Fracture, where portions of the metal filter can break off over time.
Embolization and Migration, where broken pieces or the entire IVC filter can move through the bloodstream and travel to the heart or lungs, which can be life-threatening.
Vessel Perforation, where the legs or struts of the filter can push completely through the wall of the vena cava and damage nearby organs like the spine or aorta.
Recurrent Pulmonary Embolism, in which the IVC filter can fail to stop new blood clots from reaching the lungs.
If an IVC filter cannot be removed it will remain permanently implanted inside the vein in most cases, although if the IVC filter cannot be removed it can lead to long term risks, which include blood clots, filter fracture or even vessel perforation.
When the retrievable IVC filter remains in your body past it's clinical utility and can't be extracted safely using the standard percutaneous techniques, which is often due to tissue growth or embedding, the surgeon or doctor must also weigh the risks of advanced extraction methods against leaving the IVC filter in place.
The long term risks and complications of leaving an IVC filter in place include:
Vein Perforation, in which the metal legs (struts) of the filter can grow into or pierce through the wall of the inferior vena cava, occasionally damaging nearby organs.
Filter Fracture and Migration, in which portions of the metal device can break off and travel through the bloodstream to the heart or lungs.
Blockage and Clotting, in which the IVC filter device can accumulate blood clots (filter thrombosis) or restrict blood flow, raising the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the legs.
If you cannot safely take blood thinners, but still require protection from blood clots, doctors often choose to leave the IVC filter in permanently while monitoring you.
Although if the retained IVC filter causes any severe complications, specialized endovascular techniques, laser assisted removal or even open surgical extraction might be done on a case by case basis.
An IVC filter can stay in permanently if the IVC filter is the permanent type of IVC filter, but the temporary IVC filters are removed within 1 to 3 months in most cases and cannot stay in permanently or it increases your risks of complications.
You often leave an IVC filter in for 1 to 3 months for temporary IVC filters although some IVC filters are permanent and are left in indefinitely.
An IVC filter is left in for 1 to 3 months for the retrievable temporary IV filters or as soon as your blood clot risk decreases.
Some IVC filters are permanent and designed to remain in your body indefinitely and are used for people that have long term unresolvable risks.
For the temporary IVC filters, while they can remain in you for 1 to 3 months, it's recommended that you have them removed between 29 days to 54 days whenever possible to prevent any complications.
The retrievable temporary IVC filters are designed and meant for short term clot protection and while they are often removed within a few months, your doctor might leave the temporary IVC filter in longer if you remain at high risk.
Early removal of the IVC filter when possible is important as leaving an IVC filter in longer than medically needed increases your risk of serious complications significantly which include filter fracture or migration, perforation of your inferior vena cava wall and blood clot buildup round the IVC filter.
Putting an IVC filter in takes between 30 minutes to 60 minutes and is a minimally invasive procedure that is done under local anesthesia and light sedation and most people go home the same day.
To prepare for the IVC filter procedure you will be given a local anesthetic to numb the insertion site, which is usually in your groin or neck along with a sedative.
The surgeon placing the IVC filter will use an X-ray or an ultrasound imaging for guidance and the surgeon will thread a small tube (catheter) through a minor incision into your vein.
The collapsed IVC filter ill then be navigated to the IVC and expanded, where it then anchors itself to the vessel walls to catch any blood clots.
After the catheter is removed, pressure is then applied to the site and you often need to lie flat for a couple of hours before going home.
You're awake for IVC filter placement as it's a minimally invasive outpatient procedure.
While you're awake for IVC filter placement, you will be given moderate sedation, also known as conscious sedation so you feel relaxed, sleepy and comfortable.
The care team will also use a local anesthetic to numb the exact spot of your neck or groin where they will be working.
The local numbing, blocks pain at the tiny cut in the skin and the IV sedative makes you feel very relaxed, although you might doze off lightly and general anesthesia may be used in rare cases if the moderate sedation is not safe for you.
What you may feel during the IVC filter placement is a sharp pinprick when the IV and numbing medicine go in and you may feel some mild pressure as the thin tube goes into your vein and you might even feel a warm feeling if the contrast dye moves through your body.
IVC filter placement is not a major surgery.
Instead IVC filter placement is actually a minimally invasive outpatient procedure.
IVC filter placement is done by an interventional radiologist or vascular surgeon making a tiny incision in your neck or your groin and then they guide the IVC filter into your inferior vena cava using a catheter as well as a real time X-ray imaging.
The procedure for IVC filter placement often takes between 20 minutes to 60 minutes and only uses local anesthesia or just mild sedation and it allows most people to go home the same day after the IVC filter placement.
You can often return to your normal activities within 1 to 2 days of the IVC filter placement surgery.
Recovery time after IVC filter placement is short.
You can usually go home the same day.
Expect to resume normal activities within 24 to 48 hours.
Avoid driving for 24 hours, and refrain from strenuous exercise and heavy lifting (over 10 pounds) for about 3 to 5 days.
Because IVC filter placement is minimally invasive, the recovery process is generally mild:
You will have a small incision in either your groin or your neck.
It is normal to experience some minor soreness, bruising, or discomfort for 24 to 48 hours.
This can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain medication.
Keep the bandage dry for the first 24 hours.
You should avoid taking baths or swimming for at least five days to prevent infection.
Your doctor will likely schedule a follow-up appointment in about 4 to 6 weeks to check on the placement and evaluate your overall recovery.
Many IVC filters are also designed to be temporary.
Your medical team will typically want to remove the IVC filter as soon as your risk for a pulmonary embolism decreases and you can safely resume blood thinner (anticoagulant) therapy.
The removal procedure for the IVC filter is similar to placement—usually done as a same-day, outpatient procedure.