Particle Image Velocimetry Flow Measurements About a Vena Cava Filter

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a medical condition in which blood clots form in the lower extremities, often times the right leg, or pelvis region. These blood clots are formed through a variety of circumstances including: injury to the vessel wall, decreased blood supply, or increased clotting factors. Complications from DVT often arise when the blood clot breaks free forming a pulmonary embolism (PE). The incidence of such an occurrence is over 600,000 cases per year in the United States. If the PE is allowed to travel through the vascular system, occlusion of the pulmonary arteries and death may result. There are over 200,000 deaths attributed to this cause every year in the United States.