Gestational edema occurs in late pregnancy secondary to increased venous congestion in the legs caused by pressure exerted mechanically by the uterus onto the inferior vena cava and iliac veins.

Medically reviewed by Jeffrey S. Lander, MD The inferior vena cava (also known as IVC or the posterior vena cava) is a large vein that carries oxygen-depleted blood from the torso and lower body to ...

Inferior vena cava filters are often used for prophylaxis in patients deemed to be a high risk for pulmonary embolism (e.g. bariatric surgery in the super-obese), although whether or not this ...