The IVC filter is a tiny device that can either be permanent or temporary. It is placed inside the IVC, which is a major vein located in the abdomen. The job of the inferior vena cava is to return blood which has flowed through the lower body back to the heart.
Sometimes, a person can get a blood clot in their legs, which may travel to the lungs and result in a pulmonary embolism, which is a blockage. The filter traps these clots, which prevents pulmonary embolism in the patient because the clot doesn’t reach the lungs. An IVC filter is recommended for patients who cannot take blood thinners or the medication hasn’t worked.
An IVC filter is a metal device, which originally was implanted permanently into the inferior vena cava. A newer version of the filter is known as an optionally retrievable filter, which may also be left permanently or removed in the future. Ideally, it would be removed within six months after it was inserted if the danger of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or blood clot in the leg has passed.
While the filter may prevent a pulmonary embolism, it doesn’t stop the blood clots from forming. A physician must still determine the cause and appropriate treatment to prevent future clots.
The doctor may recommend an IVC filter for patients who have DVT or are at risk of developing the condition. They may also insert the filter into patients with pulmonary embolism, those who are immobile or those who have suffered trauma. In these situations, the person is more likely to develop blood clots.
A surgeon or radiologist will use imaging to guide a catheter into the vein towards the inferior vena cava. The filter is placed inside the catheter and guided into the vein. The filter is released once it is in position, and the catheter is removed. The filter will expand and attach to the blood vessel walls.
With a removable IVC filter, a hook is on one end, which allows the radiologist or surgeon to guide the filter back into the catheter and remove it from the patient.
Both the insertion and removal of the filter are usually done with an outpatient procedure. However, it may be an inpatient procedure if the patient has other conditions. Moderate sedation is usually used rather than general anesthesia.
As with any procedure, there are certain risks involved with an IVC filter. A small chance of infection may occur at the site where the skin is penetrated. The person may suffer an allergic reaction if the procedure uses contrast material to better see the filter and position it into place.
Other risks include the following:
More than 16,000 lawsuits have been filed over IVC filters. In many cases, the suits were filed because of a failure of the manufacturer to warn patients of specific risks, such as the ability of the device to move or break apart. They may also have failed to warn of the potential of perforation of an organ or tissue or embolization.
These risks often occur because of defects in the design or manufacturing of the device. The manufacturing company failed to warn consumers of the dangers and was negligent in their responsibility. Complications that result from IVC filter insertion include the following:
Claimants allege that the manufacturers knew their devices were defective and carried these risks but still continued to sell them. They failed to inform doctors or the patients of the risks involved.
Lawsuits have been filed against three main manufacturers, including C.R. Bard for Recovery, G2 and G2 Express filters, Cook Medical for Celect and Gunther Tulip filters, and Boston Scientific for Greenfield filters. The majority of lawsuits have been filed against Bard for the Recovery filter.
Several of the cases have been combined into multidistrict litigation. One of the first cases awarded came from a surgical procedure in 2007 for a medical device from Bard. A radiologist noticed fragments of the filter in 2009, which had traveled to the patient’s spine and heart. The patient was awarded $3.6 million.
Bard settled another case in 2013 after a similar event when fragments migrated to the patient’s heart after being inserted two years earlier. A wrongful death lawsuit was filed against Boston Scientific when the filter caused internal bleeding and ultimately the death of the patient. A settlement was reached in 2017 for the case.
If you or a loved one has had an IVC filter implanted and suffered from serious complications, you may be eligible for compensation. The amount will depend on the severity of the complications, the medical costs associated with these complications, the loss of income and whether the person has a permanent or temporary disability.
These IVC filter manufacturers have a responsibility to warn consumers of the possible risks associated with use of the device, especially when those risks can lead to death. If you or a loved one has suffered from these risks, you should contact an experienced attorney for a free consultation. They can negotiate on your behalf and fight for your rights to help you focus on recovery from this incident. If you lost a loved one from complications with an IVC filter, you may be entitled to compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit. Get help to get the justice you deserve.
