IVC filter help!

Elleayebe · September 13, 2016

Was wondering if anyone decided to opt out of receiving the filter? Also, of the filter was even an option? My surgery is 9/21 and before I could sign my waiver I was ambushed as to why it's basically necessary. Now I'm second guessing myself!

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heidikat72 · September 13, 2016

Me! I opted out. When my surgeon recommended it because of my very high BMI, I did some research on them. I didn't like what I found - no real evidence that they work, some indication that they increase the likelihood of formation of a clot, plus they can migrate or puncture the vessel wall (although those complications typically happen with long term placement). So my surgeon had me meet with a vascular surgeon (had to meet with him anyway because of a false indication of an aortic aneurism on another test). The vascular doc allayed some of my fears about the risks but admitted that there wasn't conclusive clinical data to show the benefit outweighed the risk. Plus the real advantage of it for me was in not having to do the lovenox injections afterwards, but the vascular surgeon they had recently changed their protocol and I would still have to do the lovenox injections. And there is no guarantee that they will definitely be able to remove the IVC filter after surgery - depending how it attaches or if it migrates, it sometimes can't be safely removed. So then I met with a hematologist to go through what my real risk factors were for DVT and subsequent Pulmonary embolism. Based on no family history of blood clots and the rest of my health factors, my BMI really was the only risk factor so she agreed that an IVC filter wasn't warranted IN MY CASE. So my surgeon and I agreed not to do it and to do the lovenox injections twice a day for two weeks following surgery.

Let me stress - that in my case, we determined it wasn't really necessary. For some people it may be warranted. See if you can consult with a hematologist to go over your risk factors. If you decide not to get one, it will be imperative to dose the lovenox as instructed and to get up and walk as much as possible immediately following surgery.

Elleayebe · September 13, 2016

Me! I opted out. When my surgeon recommended it because of my very high BMI, I did some research on them. I didn't like what I found - no real evidence that they work, some indication that they increase the likelihood of formation of a clot, plus they can migrate or puncture the vessel wall (although those complications typically happen with long term placement). So my surgeon had me meet with a vascular surgeon (had to meet with him anyway because of a false indication of an aortic aneurism on another test). The vascular doc allayed some of my fears about the risks but admitted that there wasn't conclusive clinical data to show the benefit outweighed the risk. Plus the real advantage of it for me was in not having to do the lovenox injections afterwards, but the vascular surgeon they had recently changed their protocol and I would still have to do the lovenox injections. And there is no guarantee that they will definitely be able to remove the IVC filter after surgery - depending how it attaches or if it migrates, it sometimes can't be safely removed. So then I met with a hematologist to go through what my real risk factors were for DVT and subsequent Pulmonary embolism. Based on no family history of blood clots and the rest of my health factors, my BMI really was the only risk factor so she agreed that an IVC filter wasn't warranted IN MY CASE. So my surgeon and I agreed not to do it and to do the lovenox injections twice a day for two weeks following surgery.

Let me stress - that in my case, we determined it wasn't really necessary. For some people it may be warranted. See if you can consult with a hematologist to go over your risk factors. If you decide not to get one, it will be imperative to dose the lovenox as instructed and to get up and walk as much as possible immediately following surgery.

You're a breath of fresh air, I've also done my research and had all of the reasoning that you listed to decline it and my surgeon said that it was up to me but his assistant scared the life out of me! Thank you!

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