Implanted in an estimated 250,000 patients each year, IVC filters are inserted into the veins of patients at risk for pulmonary embolism – a condition in which one or more arteries in the lungs become blocked by a blood clot.

However, reports of IVC filter problems have raised concerns about the safety of these devices.

What is an IVC Filter?

An inferior vena cava filter (IVC filter) is a medical device that is surgically implanted into the inferior vena cava, the larger blood vessel that runs from the abdomen into the heart and returns blood from the lower half of the body.

The spider-like device can trap blood clots before they are able to cause serious complications, such as pulmonary embolism.

However, many concerns have been raised about the safety of the devices, specifically that IVC filters can break off and migrate into the heart, lungs and other vital organs, leading to serious, potentially fatal injuries.

IVC Filter Problems

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a severe and often fatal condition that occurs when a lower extremity thrombus embolizes to the lungs.

While anticoagulant medication is the first treatment of choice for PE, IVC filters may be implanted if anticoagulant use is unsuccessful. In addition to pulmonary embolism, there are several severe IVC filter problems associated with medical devices:

• Fracture of the IVC filter
• Perforation, puncture or serious damage to the heart
• Damage to the lungs or vena cava
• Internal bleeding
• Cardiac or pericardial tamponade
• Ventricular tachycardia
• Lower limb DVT
• Hematoma or nerve injury at the puncture site
• Constant and severe pain in the heart, chest, or elsewhere
• Infection
• Death

In April 2015, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that IVC filters were not as effective as blood thinners at preventing pulmonary embolism.

The researchers found that filter recipients were twice as likely to have a blood clot travel to their lungs than those on blood thinners.

FDA Addresses IVC Filter Problems

The FDA has warned about IVC filter problems for years as the result of receiving thousands of reports of adverse events, including life threatening hospitalizations and deaths.

On May 6, 2014, the FDA addressed physicians and clinicians with an update to their information on IVC filters by saying that if the patient’s risk for pulmonary embolism has passed, their recommendation is to remove the IVC filter between 29 and 54 days after it was originally implanted.

Did You Experience IVC Filter Problems?

More and more recipients of IVC filters are coming forward with complaints of serious IVC filter problems stemming from the medical device and are filing legal claims against the makers of the allegedly defective implants, citing poor design and manufacturing as the reason for their injuries.

If you or a loved one experienced serious IVC filter problems or are seeking to have an IVC filter removal due to diagnosed problems with the device, you should contact an experienced attorney for to discuss your legal options. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries or loss.