Over 100,000 blood clot filters have been in use since the 1960’s. These devices were not intended for permanent placement.

Manufacturers made the devices retrievable so that blood clot filter removal could be performed once the danger of blood clots or pulmonary embolism passed and the filters were no longer needed.

Blood Clot Filter Removal

A blood clot filter is a wire device that looks something like a spider, set snugly against the walls of the inferior vena cava.

Initially, blood clot filters were developed for permanent placement. However, there are now many blood clot filters designed for short-term use. Permanent blood clot filters remain in the inferior vena cava.

Retrievable blood clot filters are designed for blood clot filter removal after the medical condition has improved.  But blood clot filter removal can be technically challenging because the longer the device it is left in place, the more difficult it is to retrieve.

Although manufacturers have different recommendations about how long a filter should stay in, retrievable blood clot filter removal should generally be done four to six weeks after blood clot filter surgery, because otherwise they may become too firmly attached to the inferior vena cava to be removed.

Blood Clot Filter Surgery Risks

Any one of the metal extremities on a blood clot filter can fracture and be carried away by the blood stream, finding its way to the heart or lungs. The likelihood of splintering increases the longer the device remains in the body.

The use of a retrievable blood clot filter may cause the following problems:

• Filter migration
• Filter fracture
• Filter perforation
• Tilting of the Filter
• The inability to retrieve the Filter
• Pulmonary embolism
• Compromised respiration
• Stroke
• Death

FDA Warnings

The FDA issued a warning on August 9, 2010 (“Removing Retrievable Inferior Vena Cava Filters: Initial Communication”) against leaving blood clot filters in for extended periods of time, because they have a tendency to cause life-threatening problems.

The Agency warned implanting physicians and clinicians that blood clot filters are for short-term use in patients at risk for pulmonary embolisms and implanting doctors are to perform blood clot filter removal surgery once the patient’s risk subsides.

The FDA was concerned about doctors not retrieving the blood clot filters intended for short-term placement, exposing patients to health risks caused by fractured devices.

This government safety warning came after the Archives of Internal Medicine study conducted by Dr. William Nicholson at the York Hospital in Pennsylvania found a high prevalence of fracture and fragment embolizations with retrievable blood clot filters.

The report was used as a challenge to the FDA and its device approval process. The FDA considers blood clot filters as Class II devices, or low risk, clearing them without clinical safety or effectiveness data in their 510(k) approval process.

The FDA reported that since 2005, there were 921 adverse event reports involving blood clot filters, of which 328 involved device migration, 146 involved detachments of device components and embolizations, 70 involved perforation of the inferior vena cava, and 56 involved filter breaks.

Blood Clot Filter Lawsuit Information

Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed over injuries connected to the blood clot filters made by C.R. Bard, Cook Medical and other device makers.

These blood clot filter lawsuits say the devices are “defective and unreasonably dangerous” and seek compensation for patients who suffered complications from blood clot filter surgery or blood clot filter removal.

Lawsuits have also been lodged by families of those who died in connection with the devices.

If you or a loved one suffered injuries or complications that led to blood clot filter removal, you may be owed money from the device manufacturer for medical bills and other damages.

There is no cost to contact a blood clot filter lawyer and you are not obligated to take legal action after learning more about your options regarding filing a blood clot filter lawsuit.