By Ashley Lombardo

Aside from a heart problem, the most common cause of thrombosis is an irremovable Inferior vena cava filter (IVC filter). The number of filters implanted in U.S. patients is 25 times higher than in Europe, leaving many Americans to deal with serious IVC filter thrombosis and other complications.

Thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms and travels to an organ, which causes a potentially life-threatening blockage of blood flow. Despite the fact that a third of IVC filter patients will experience thrombosis, doctors haven't been successfully removing the dangerous devices.

Though 1 in 4 deaths worldwide is caused by thrombosis, symptoms may be hard to recognize.

Symptoms of filter thrombosis include:

  • Heavy legs
  • Swelling
  • Cramping
  • Back pain
  • Abdominal pain

"Since IVC filter thrombosis is the main etiology for IVC thrombosis, physicians may want to ensure the absolute need for the filter before its placement," Dr. Mohamad Alkhouli from University of Rochester Medical Center, New York told Reuters Health by email. "A tracking system should be instituted to follow up with these patients, and the implanted IVC filter should be pulled out as soon as is safe and reasonable."


Ashley Lombardo

Ashley Lombardo is a reporter, editor and photographer currently based in Los Angeles, CA. She studied journalism and cultural anthropology with a focus on long-form, narrative, investigative features. In her spare time, she loves seeing live jazz and funk music.

Footnotes

'Research Finds the Main Cause of Inferior Vena Cava Thrombosis.' The Hospitalist. (March 2016).