What Is a Greenfield Filter Used For

An IVC filter is one method to help prevent pulmonary embolism. Your inferior vena cava (IVC) is the major vein that brings oxygen-poor blood from the lower body back to the heart. The heart then pumps the blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen. An IVC filter is a small, wiry device.

Where is a Greenfield filter placed?

Greenfield filters for prevention of pulmonary emboli may be placed in the inferior vena cava by surgical cutdown or by percutaneous insertion through the femoral or jugular veins.

How long do Greenfield filters stay in?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends removing temporary IVC filters after 29-54 days. While this is not very long, it should provide enough time for the acute threat to pass or to find another solution that can work on a long-term basis.