“To date, there have been limited options for the successful removal of chronically embedded IVC filters, as they can be difficult to retrieve due to potential complications associated with the complex procedure,” Bram Zuckerman, MD, director of the Office of Cardiovascular Devices in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, said in a statement. “Today’s action by the FDA will provide physicians with an important tool for the safe removal of IVC filters and potentially help reduce complications for patients. It also demonstrates FDA’s commitment to leveraging real world evidence where appropriate to evaluate device safety and effectiveness.”

While some IVC filters can be left in place permanently, the FDA has received reports of adverse events due to leaving them in too long. The agency officially recommends removing IVC filters once blood clots are no longer pose a threat to the patient’s health.