An inferior vena cava (IVC) filter can seem like a good idea for those patients for whom anticoagulants do not work. However, patients have reported IVC filter damage as a concerning side effect.

Inferior vena cava filters are small devices that are inserted in the inferior vena cava, a main vein in the body, to stop blood clots from traveling around the body.

When blood clots from the lower body, which can be common after knee or hip replacement surgeries, and travel to the heart or lungs, this can result in a pulmonary embolism. IVC filters are designed to catch these clots before IVC filter damage can occur.

If a blood clot travels to the lungs it can cause dangerous complications such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, heart attack or pulmonary embolism.

Many IVC filters are designed to be temporary and are removed after the threat of blood clots. However in the past, some IVC filters have been permanent. When IVC filters are left in the body for an extended period of time, life-threatening complications can occur.

In fact, in 2010, the FDA warned against the long term use of IVC filters because of IVC filter damage. They noted that they had nearly 1,000 adverse event reports in the previous 5 years.

Of that, over 300 reports involved IVC filter migration, almost 150 reports involved the detachment of components, 70 reports indicated perforation of the inferior vena cava and 56 IVC filters fractured.

The FDA made a note that inferior vena cava filters are intended as temporary measures and warned physicians to consider the risks when discussing filter removal.

Four years later, the FDA updated its warning and stated that once the patient’s risk for pulmonary embolism has passed, the IVC filter should be removed between 29 and 54 days after implantation to avoid IVC filter damage.

Essentially, IVC filters are only approved for use when anticoagulant therapy is contraindicated, when anticoagulant therapy fails to work, during an emergency after a massive pulmonary embolism or for chronic, recurrent pulmonary embolism when anticoagulant use has failed or is contraindicated.

Common Types of IVC Filter Damage

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that the most common IVC filter damage complications are as follows:

• IVC thrombosis
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Access site thrombosis
• Filter migration
• Caval penetration
• IVC filter fracture

If you or a loved one suffered IVC filter damage such as migration, IVC perforation, DVT or pulmonary embolism, you may have a legal claim. An IVC filter lawsuit may help you obtain compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and more. Submit your information now for a free case evaluation.