An inferior vena cava filter is placed in which vessel and what does it do?

• A. In the femoral vein and catches clots from the legs traveling to the lungs
• B. In the jugular vein and catches clots from reaching the brain
• C. In the femoral artery and catches clots from the legs
• D. In the portal vein and prevents liver clots

Answer: (A)

An inferior vena cava filter is a small device placed in the inferior vena cava to catch clots that form in the legs and travel toward the lungs. It’s typically inserted through a leg vein such as the femoral vein and then deployed in the IVC, where it acts like a net to trap emboli before they reach the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism. This prevents clots from traveling from the legs to the lungs, which is why it’s described as catching clots from the legs traveling to the lungs. It doesn’t target arterial clots or brain emboli and isn’t placed in the arterial system or portal circulation.