CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filter insertion
- No.1 in the UK for private cardiac care*
- Appointments in as little as 24 hours
- 99% of our cardiac patients would recommend us to friends and family
INFERIOR VENA CAVA (IVC) FILTER INSERTION AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
Blood clots can be serious and, in some cases, life-threatening if they travel to the lungs. If you've been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, or you have an increased risk of developing blood clots, rapid specialist assessment is essential.
At HCA UK, you'll have fast access to experienced interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons with expertise in diagnosing and treating complex venous conditions. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, they'll use advanced imaging and specialist techniques to assess your condition and recommend the most appropriate treatment for you.
Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter insertion is a procedure used to help prevent a pulmonary embolism – a blood clot that gets stuck in an artery in your lungs, blocking the blood flow.
During treatment, a small metal filter is placed inside the inferior vena cava, the large vein that carries blood from the lower body back to the heart. The filter is designed to catch blood clots before they can travel to the lungs, helping to reduce the risk of potentially serious complications.
An IVC filter may be recommended if you have deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or are at increased risk of developing blood clots that could travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism.
It's most commonly used when blood-thinning medication isn't suitable, hasn't been effective, or carries an increased risk of bleeding. Your specialist will carefully assess your condition and explain whether this treatment is appropriate for you.
Recovery after IVC filter insertion is usually quick. Because the procedure is minimally invasive, most patients are able to walk within a few hours and return home on the same day.
Your recovery will depend on your overall health and the severity of your condition, but most people experience only mild discomfort around the insertion site. In some cases, the filter may be removed after several months, and your specialist (interventional radiologist and/or vascular surgeon) will explain whether this is recommended as part of your ongoing care.
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Your IVC filter insertion procedure with HCA UK
What to expect
You’ll be cared for throughout your time with HCA UK by your interventional radiologist and vascular surgeon and an experienced multidisciplinary team. They’ll keep you updated at every stage, make sure you’re comfortable, and answer any questions you have. This should give you a good idea of what to expect from the process, but feel free to get in touch with us if you’d like to know more.
01
See a GP
Before you have any treatment to address issues with blood clots or other complications, you’ll likely see your GP or one of the GPs here at HCA UK. They may recommend blood-thinning medication as a first step. If those medications aren’t effective, or you can’t take them because you’re at high risk of bleeding, you may be referred to an interventional radiologist.
02
Initial consultation and testing
When you see your interventional radiologist for the first time, they’ll want to know about your overall health, general medical history and any previous treatments you’ve had. If they believe you’re likely to benefit from inferior vena cava filter insertion, they’ll arrange for you to have diagnostic tests to get the most accurate picture of your condition and formulate a plan for your procedure. These might include blood tests, X-rays, a CT scan or an MRI.
03
Your IVC filter insertion procedure
This is a minimally invasive procedure, so you should only need a local anaesthetic beforehand. It takes place in the X-ray department, where your interventional radiologist and/or vascular surgeon will make a small incision, usually in your neck (but sometimes in your groin). They’ll use ultrasound and X-ray to insert and guide a tiny tube (catheter) to the correct position in your neck or groin vein. Then the small metal filter will be guided along the catheter, where it will anchor securely within the vein before the catheter is removed. The procedure should only take around 45 minutes.
04
Recovery and aftercare
Afterwards, you’ll be taken to your comfortable private room to recover. Your team will check your pulse and blood pressure, make sure your incision is dressed and give you time for your local anaesthetic to wear off.
Once you feel ready, you’ll be able to get back up on your feet, and you should be able to go home that day. You’ll be given all the advice you need about managing your recovery at home. Your interventional radiologist and vascular surgeon will also let you know if you need to come back in for another procedure to remove the filter later.
Once you feel ready, you’ll be able to get back up on your feet, and you should be able to go home that day. You’ll be given all the advice you need about managing your recovery at home. Your interventional radiologist and vascular surgeon will also let you know if you need to come back in for another procedure to remove the filter later.
Where can I get my private IVC filter insertion procedure?
Get advanced diagnosis and expert treatment at our specialist hospitals in London and Birmingham.
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
FAQs
This is a minimally invasive procedure, so it doesn’t require any complex preparation beforehand. Your interventional radiologist will advise you about when to stop eating and drinking beforehand, as you’ll likely receive a local anaesthetic and/or sedation. It’s a good idea to wear some loose and comfortable clothing on the top half of your body to avoid anything rubbing on your dressing, and you’ll need to arrange for someone to help you get home, as you won’t be able to drive yourself.
This is generally regarded as a very safe procedure, with minimal risk. However, as with all procedures, there’s a small risk of bleeding or infection at the incision site. Specifically, there is a small risk that the filter may move from its original position or require further treatment, although this is uncommon.
Your interventional radiologist and vascular surgeon will talk you through the process in detail beforehand and give you time to discuss the risks.
Your interventional radiologist and vascular surgeon will talk you through the process in detail beforehand and give you time to discuss the risks.
Yes, there are. If you’ve developed blood clots, you’re at risk of doing so, or you’ve suffered a pulmonary embolism or other similar condition, blood thinning medication might be recommended. This can help to reduce your risk of developing clots and the complications they can cause.
However, these medications may not work, or you might not be able to take them because they increase the risk of bleeding elsewhere in your body.
Your interventional radiologist will be able to talk about your specific condition in detail, and whether this procedure is right for you.
However, these medications may not work, or you might not be able to take them because they increase the risk of bleeding elsewhere in your body.
Your interventional radiologist will be able to talk about your specific condition in detail, and whether this procedure is right for you.
You can access private IVC filter insertion treatment at a number of HCA UK hospitals, including The Wellington Hospital, The Harley Street Clinic, The Harborne Hospital and London Bridge Hospital.
Our experienced interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons work across these locations, giving you fast access to specialist assessment, advanced imaging and treatment. We’ll recommend the most appropriate location based on your condition and needs.
At HCA UK, you'll have access to experienced interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons with expertise in diagnosing and treating complex venous conditions, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism.
You can use our consultant finder to search for a specialist, learn more about their experience and book a consultation at a time and location that suits you.
The cost of private IVC filter insertion will vary depending on your diagnosis and treatment plan. In order to be as transparent as possible, we offer clear pricing information for self-pay patients. You can find more details in the Accessing private healthcare section, or get in touch for a personalised quote.
Our patients’ stories
“It was the best decision we ever made. Almost as soon as the anaesthetic from the surgery wore off, she was back to her usual happy self.”
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*Based on national private cardiac volumes. Data source: The Private Healthcare Information Network. 1 January 2025-1 December 2025