Blood Clots, Has anyone had a Greenfield Filter put in a vein? (ankle, pregnancy)

[bluedevilz]

Originally Posted by KarenLathan

can a greenfield stop clots from giving you a heart attack?

No.....

[golfjeep]

I tore my achillies tendon in 2000 and 6 weeks later DVT set in, in my left leg. A filter was installed before I was de-clotted to prevent clots from going to my lungs. I was om coumadin at that time for 6 months. I was fine until 2006 when clots appeared in my right lung, even with a filter. I am a lifer for coumadin and I was told then, the filter will catch the bigger clots that will kill you, however, smaller ones can still pass thru. I guess the filter saved my life, even though, the small clots almost did as well.

[scottbrown]

Originally Posted by schaljk

I have been out of work for two weeks with a blood clot in a superficial vein of the left leg. Within this period I have had 3 ultrsounds that show this clot has traveled into my groin. I feel anxious waiting for the thing to enter the arterial system and wonder why a greenfield filter was not suggested or meds given yet. Does anyone understand this waiting for a disaster to strike form of medicine..or am I just over reacting??

Can you provide an update to your situation? I have a PE in my left lung due to a recent colon surgery they believe. I felt the thing travel through my body up my left side and lodge its self in my lung. It was 3:36am 10/23/2010! I am on Warfarin but this stuff is so bad I requested the name brand Coumadin yesterday to see if this will stop the side effects Warfarin is handing me. I have no history of clots and am scared to death of another so I am going to meet my doctor next Monday to see about this filter just so I never have to worry about clots again. I have a reversal (Ilesotomy surgery) in about 4 months and the surgeon said I may have to go back on Warfarin so need to find out about this filter now.

Good luck to you!!!

[golfjeep]

I had one installed in the year 2000 after DVT set into my right leg after surgery. In 2006 I had blood clots in my right lung. They came thru the filter. The filter is designed to catch the big clots to prevent death, however, small clots can still pass, which are not suppose to cause death.

[miyu]

Originally Posted by KarenLathan

can a greenfield stop clots from giving you a heart attack?

I don't think so... not unless you have weird anatomy like a PFO or some septal defect. The coronary arteries come off the sinus of valsalva in your aortic root so clots will get trapped in your lungs first.

[bluedevilz]

Originally Posted by miyu

I don't think so... not unless you have weird anatomy like a PFO or some septal defect. The coronary arteries come off the sinus of valsalva in your aortic root so clots will get trapped in your lungs first.

The whole point of a greenfield filter is to trap larger clots from getting to the lungs....so no...they won't "get trapped in the lungs". They get "trapped in the filter"

The reason a greenfield filter won't prevent "clots from giving you a heart attack" is because that's not how heart attacks occur....a clot can't travel directly from a vein to an artery, separate systems.

[gusanita77]

Originally Posted by stacrev

Eight years ago I almost dies from a massive PE due to not being walked after a surgery a hospital. I was hospitalized and bed ridden for 3 weeks. I was on Herparin for 10 days, then Lovenox shots twice a day for 10 days, then went to Warfarin for 6 months. I got my blood checked every week and the dosage was adjusted accordingly. While I was in the hospital for the 3 weeks, they put in a Greenfield filter through my groin- very painful. Eight years later I still have the filter in, for life, but am not on any blood thinners. When I was pregnant I had to do Lovenox and Heparin shots the entire pregancy and 3 months post. The filter gives me peace of mind and I have no discomfortc from it. It was a great decision my wonderful doctor helped me make.

Hi, I just read your comment and it sounds very similar to what I've gone through. I have a greenfield filter for life...DVT from birthcontrol. I was also on Lovenox and Heparin while pregnant and a bit after. I haven't had any problems except my leg still swells up when I am on my feet all day. Just the other night I remembered I had this filter still inside and I started to worry!!! Did your doctor tell you anything about being on mild blood thinners or anything? I was just reading online that it is a good idea to be on thinners so the filter doesn't clog. I would ask the doctor but this happened about 8 years ago and I don't remember who it was. A few years ago I asked my doctor about it and she said it should be okay to have it in...I wasn't too conviced with her answer cause it sounded like she didn't really know what she was talking about. Anyway, just wanted to know what you know about it.

[BigDaddyB]

Please don't listen to ignorant peoplModerator cut: rude . The advice is dangerous at best and could be fatal. BlueDevilz is very accurate and medically correct. Bottom line trust the specialists and get a second opinion. I was told today to get a filter prior to my Total Knee Arthroplasty. I am absolutely going to do it. No sense removing the filter. It will protect me for life along with coumadin or one of the newer anticoagulant drugs awaiting FDA approval. The newest was just approved for DVT prevention in Europe. God Bless.

[joy1577]

I have had a gf filter for 6 years and they have just discovered that it has moved, protruding the small bowel. I cannot find a surgeon to take it out.

[cardinalohio]

My husband has been on Warfarin since 1990. It is well regulated. His INR kept between 2 & 3. He asked today at his Dr visit about a Greenfield filter. The Dr said they are not recommended and in his case not needed.