Vena cava filters: Tiny cages that trap blood clots
A common complication after surgery, trauma, or a prolonged period of bed rest is the formation of a blood clot in a vein deep inside the legs. Doctors call this a deep vein thrombosis, or DVT. If the clot breaks free of the vessel wall, it can travel through the bloodstream and lodge in a lung artery, causing a catastrophic stoppage of blood flow. This consequence, known as a pulmonary embolism, can be deadly.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online Plus (HHO+) to unlock expert-backed health insights, personalized tools, and exclusive resources to feel your best every day.
Here’s what you get with your HHO+ membership:
- Unlimited access to all Harvard Health Online content
- 4 expertly curated newsletters delivered monthly
- Customized website experience aligned to your health goals
- In-depth health guides on topics like sleep, exercise, and more
- Interactive features like videos and quizzes
- Members-only access to exclusive articles and resources
I’d like to subscribe to HHO+ for $4.99/month to access expert-backed content to help make smart, informed decisions about my well-being.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
