Retrieval Procedure
|
Once your primary care physician and the interventional radiologist agree it is safe for you to have your filter removed you will be scheduled for this procedure in the department of Interventional Radiology.
Your doctor will discuss with you the risks and benefits of this procedure. The removal of the filter is done with sedation medication that will make you relaxed and sleepy. It is given through an IV, a catheter or thin tube placed in your arm or hand. You will be required to not eat solid foods 6 hours before the procedure and stop drinking water and other clear liquids 3 hours before the procedure. You can take your medications with a sip of water if needed. You will also need someone to accompany you home if you are not already in the hospital. On the day of the procedure you will come to the 4th floor of the Feinberg pavilion, 251 E. Huron Chicago, IL 60611, one hour before your procedure. After you check in with the receptionist on the 4th floor, you and one member of your family will meet with staff that will bring you to the prep and recovery area. Here they will review your health history, medications, and allergies. A short physical exam will be done. After reviewing the procedure and asking any questions you may have, you will be asked to sign a consent form. Once you change into a hospital gown, your blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature will be taken. An IV line is placed in your arm or hand at this time. |
The Procedure Room
This is a picture of the procedure room where you will have your filter placed. You will be lying on the table. The X-ray or fluoroscopy machine is the piece of equipment that looks like a backwards letter C. This will move over you, but not touch you during the procedure. This is what produces the X-ray images the doctor’s use during your procedure. A nurse, radiology technologist, and interventional radiologist will all be in the room with you during your procedure. |
During the Procedure
|
In the procedure room the nurse will help you lie on the exam table. You will be connected to heart and blood pressure monitors. The area to be treated will be cleaned with a special soap and covered with sterile sheets. Numbing medicine is injected into the area. You will feel some burning as the medicine is given, but once it takes effect, the area will be numb. An ultrasound is used to find the internal jugular or femoral vein and a small needle is inserted. Through this needle, a small catheter is threaded into the vein to the IVC. You may feel pressure, but you should not feel any pain.
Contrast Dye is injected and the filter and IVC are evaluated before removal.
|
The doctor grabs the hook at the top of the filter with a wire snare device.
A catheter is then placed over the filter, collapsing it and trapping it inside. The doctor then removes the filter by pulling the collapsed filter and catheter out through the vein in your neck or groin.
Contrast dye is then injected through the catheter and X-ray pictures are taken of your IVC. The doctor will look at the placement of the filter and assess for any clots. A small snare device is placed through the catheter. The wire snare device is used to grab or hook onto the top of the filter. Once the filter has been grabbed the catheter is moved down over the filter, collapsing or closing it, and then it is removed. The catheter is then removed and pressure is held to the catheter site for about 5-10min. A small bandage or skin glue will be placed to the site. You will then be taken back to the prep and recovery area. |