vena cava filter?

trtobiassen · May 2, 2008

Hi Everyone (first post),

I am in the process of trying to aproved for the Lap Band but one of the requirements my Dr wanted is for me to get a Vena cava filter. (I had a pulemonary embolism a few years ago). Has anyone else had to get one? Just wondering what is involved with getting one.

Thanks,

Tom

DiscoDiva · May 2, 2008

Hi, I had to have a GreenField Filter put in before I did the lap band because I had the bloodclots that were not dangerous the ones under the skin.....BUT I am sooooo glad that they talked me into getting it. A week after the band, I ended up with DVT's in the right leg. Spent a week in the hospital. Then because my husband travels with his job and my daughter works and go's to collage I needed someone with me all the time. So I ended up in a nursing home for 3 weeks. But the first week I was there I got DVT's in the left leg.... OH what a mess. If I hadn't had the greenfield filer it could have killed me. I don't know if that is the same thing they want to put in you or not. Good luck, and if the Dr's think you need it then maybe you better do it.. I'm glad I did.

Debbie

Brian · May 2, 2008

Hi,

I'll let more qualified people speak to you about the procedure, but I think it is very good that your doctor is taking that precaution. My doctor has done about 500 LB surgeries and he has had one patient die, and it was post-op blood clots, (massive cascade of pulmonary emboli). One thing you may suggest, if not already done, is the Factor V Leiden blood test. Factor V, (five) is a coagulopathy- a hereditary blood clotting disorder often found in Scandinavians. If you have a clotting disorder, independent of risk factors of weight, immobility and surgery, it is best to prepare for that at the onset. Good luck,

brian

carol4784 · May 2, 2008

Hi Tom, Carol from Ohio here. I was banded 4/8/08 and doing well. Have lost around 24 lbs. Anyway, I had 5 way coronary bypass December 2005. I did all the pre-op testing, sleep apnea, everything was going so smoothly. Almost forgot, I'm self pay, Dr. Curry, Cincinnati, OH. (I have fairly good ins, my ins. EXCLUDES weight loss surgery of any kind.) One time fee $12.5K includes 2 yrs. fills. Dr. Curry is fantastic IMO. Anyway, about March 25 my cardiologist's office called and said I had to have a vena cava (sp?) filter put in. Remember, I'm self pay, so anything to do with the band I've gotta pony up. Anyway, kept telling cardiologist office I'm paying for surgery myself, I can't afford to get this done. Oh, it can't be that much they say. So I called hospital. Procedure was around $8,000, not including Dr. fee, PLUS filter would need to be removed in a year or so and that would cost WHO KNOWS and I would have to pay that that too?? Meanwhile, my surgery was already scheduled for April 8. I FREAKED OUT. The phone lines from ins. co. to my dr. office from dr. office to ins. co were hot. Ins. won't pay. Cardiologist wouldn't budge. Thought I was gonna lose my mind. Called Dr. Curry's office sobbing, totally out of control. Lisa, she's a PA (physician's asst), higher up than an RN but less than a Dr. said listen. Your BMI is 41. You have no current problems. Dr. Curry can do your cardiac clearance if need be. You do not need this procedure. You're gonna be "out" for maybe 35 minutes...it wasn't that long BTW. She told me that Dr. Curry (who's done more lapbands than any other Dr. in Ohio) has has 3 or 4 patients that actually had to get the filter.....due to their BMI being over 50. It was more of a risk to them. So, if you have insurance and they'll pay I'd have it done, otherwise I'd check with someone else if your BMI is under 50. I hope this helps. Meanwhile, my cardiologist thinks I didn't have the surgery and when I go back next February or March for my yearly appt..... he's gonna be really surprised....because I hope to be at least 50 - 70 lbs. thinner. :thumbup: Good luck Tom.

Ricky · May 2, 2008

Hi..I have two Grenfield vena cava filters put in..I had a huge DVT w/over 20 pulmonary emboli..turns out, like Brian said, I have a defect on my Factor V Leiden...I believe my filters saved my life...that surgery was no big deal...did I mention I was 5+ months pregnant at the time?? Good luck to you!!!!!!!

trtobiassen · May 3, 2008

I do have a genetic blood issue, a Protein S deficiency that was why I had the blood clots. So I guess it seems like a good idea. To the people who have had a filter put in, how to they do it? Also after it is in why do they take it out? I have a appointment with the cardiologist on Monday to talk about it, for some reason the filter makes me more nervous then getting the lap band.

Tom

soriminah · May 3, 2008

I had an inferior vena cava filter placed in November 2007. I had some serious PE happening and had the IVC filter placed in an emergency procedure. The clots had 3/4 closed over the bronchus and the Drs couldn't work out how I was still alive. One of my clots was 2cm which should have killed me instantly when it went through my heart so they placed the filter as they said if another clot went to my lungs it'd kill me.

They placed it under sedation in Radiology. They put a nick in my groin and fed it up through my femoral vein. During the procedure I had to be awake because they were taking xrays to make sure they could get correct placement and required me to hold my breath a few times so I had to be conscious to follow instructions.

The sent my back to Coronary Care and I had to lay flat on my back all night so that the puncture in my groin didn't open up. The next day I could sit up or lay on my side as normal.

They don't like to leave them in too long so in January they tried retrieval through my jugular under sedation. I was in radiology for 3 hours but the tip of it is stuck in the vein wall.

They tried to take it out again about 3 weeks ago under general anaesthetic which was about 2 hours but it's well and truly stuck. The Drs then informed me that because I'll have the filter for life I have to be on Warfarin for life now too.

The most painful part of the procedure is when they go through your neck, you have to lay with your head to the side. The actual puncture wound doesn't hurt that much, it's when your neck siezes up from being stuck in the one position for hours.

To answer why they take it out:

*There is evidence that leaving the filter in can cause further clotting problems and increases your risk of DVT in the long term.

*Also, if the filter moves, it gets shot straight into your heart and will kill you.

*Another thing is if a bit of the filter breaks off it gets shot straight into your heart and can kill you.

*If you're not on blood thinning medication it can get full of blood clots and there are then complications with the filter.

*The filter can penetrate the vein wall.

*It can also perforate the aorta, bowel, duodenum.

*Can cause chronic leg edema, hyperpigmentation and ulceration.

*Also, there is no guarantee that the filter will catch the clots and may not work so you can still get PE.

This is all outlined on the disclaimer they get you to sign.

Edited May 3, 2008 by soriminah