The placement of a inferior vena cava (IVC) filter is interesting.  An IVC filter is a web like structure that sits in the largest vein in the body that delivers blood from abdomen, kidneys, liver, pelvis, and lower extremities to the right atrium of the heart.  The purpose of an IVC filter is to reduce the risk of a pulmonary embolism.  A pulmonary embolism results when a blood clot usually in the lower extremity travels to the lungs.  Patients are at increased risk of developing clots in their lower extremities if they are immobile for long periods of time.  A pulmonary embolism (PE) can be a life threatening event because it can cut off blood supply to the entire pulmonary vessels leading to hemodynamic collapse or less lethal when a PE cuts off blood supply to a portion of lungs leading to a pulmonary infarct.

IVC filters have been shown to decrease the risk of developing a pulmonary embolism.  The filter will "catch" the clot before it reaches the lungs.

IVC filters are usually placed in patients who have developed a clot in their legs.  It could be that the surgeons prophylactically placed a filter before a clot in the legs actually formed.   The reason to do this is because if a patient does develop a pulmonary embolsim, then the patient would need to have his/her blood thinned.  After a intracerebral bleed, thinning the blood would not be a good idea as it would increase the risk for a rebleed.  

Does anyone want to help?

I'm reaching out the mydd community to see who is interested.

I graduate medical school in May and start my residency at NYU in June.

I have little time to dedicate to this, but I'm looking for people who want to be involved...

To learn more about brian schweitzer, check this out

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/4/8/04336/60775

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2004/0412.sir...

...i have no technical skill...

i have a friend that his helping me set up a website.

the website will have

a petition that will urge schweitzer to consider running for president

a mailing list

a blog about schweitzer

and will accept donations to buy an ad on the dailykos to promote brian schweitzer

would you like to help

there are two people on the team...

http://www.schweitzerforpresident.com

I'm a fourth year medical student in Boston...
I've been a long time reader, but I joined so I can be a reporter to the DNC meeting in NYC.

rk