Which filter is placed in the inferior vena cava to prevent clots from reaching the lungs?

The filter that is designed to be placed in the inferior vena cava (IVC) to prevent blood clots from reaching the lungs is indeed referred to as an IVC filter. This specialized medical device is used primarily in patients who are at high risk of pulmonary embolism, especially if they cannot be treated with anticoagulant therapy. The IVC filter works by capturing clots that may be traveling from the lower extremities, allowing blood to continue to flow while minimizing the risk of a thrombus entering the pulmonary circulation and causing a blockage in the lungs.

The Greenfield filter is actually a specific type of IVC filter, but the term "IVC filter" encompasses various types and is the more general and correct term for this category of devices. The other options, such as a clot filter and an arterial filter, do not specifically refer to devices situated in the IVC or ones designed to prevent clots from traveling to the lungs. Thus, the IVC filter’s role in preventing clots is critical in the context of managing patients with conditions that predispose them to venous thromboembolism.