Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) Filter Placement

Anesthesia Implications

Position: Supine, arms tucked
Time: 30-60 min (short)
Blood Loss: Low (10-50 ml)
Post-op Pain: Minimal (1-3)
Maintenance Paralytic: No
Lead: Yes

Tucked Arms (general considerations): Consider a second IV – once the procedure has started, it’s going to be VERY difficult to handle IV issues – especially if your only IV has problems. Ensure the IV is running and monitors are still functioning after tucking the patient’s arms

Fluoroscopy / Xray (general considerations): Have lead aprons and thyroid shields available. Alternatively, distancing yourself 3 to 6 feet will reduce scatter radiation to 0.1% to 0.025% respectively. Occupational maximum exposure to radiation should be limited to a maximum average of 20 Sv (joules per kilogram – otherwise known as the Sievert/Sv) per year over a 5 year period. Limits should never exceed 50 Sv in a single year.