IVC filters, or inferior vena cava filters, are a type of vascular filter. It is a medical device inserted into the inferior vena cava, a vein that carries blood from the body’s lower extremity into the heart, to prevent pulmonary embolism and other dangerous blood clot-related problems.

These filters are used to capture blood clots. In pulmonary embolism, a blood clot becomes lodged in the lungs. An IVC filter can capture blood clots travelling to the lungs or heart and prevent a pulmonary embolism from occurring. Other dangerous conditions can result from a blood clot being trapped elsewhere besides in the lungs.

However, there are several common IVC filter problems that have been occurring in recent years. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, some IVC filter problems include: filter migration, deep vein thrombosis, access site thrombosis, IVC thrombosis, caval penetration, and IVC filter fracture.

The IVC filter works by stopping the blood clot and holding it in place while it dissolves naturally. Although there are several kinds of filters designed to be temporarily implanted, others are made to be permanently inserted.

Some common manufacturers of IVC filter include: Cordis, Rafael Medical Technologies and Rex Medical, B Braun Medical, Bard Peripheral Vascular, Boston Scientific, and ALN Implants Chirurgicaux.

FDA Communications Address IVC Filter Problems

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cautions patients about IVC filter problems. In 2010, the federal agency issued a safety communication that announced it had received 921 adverse event reports since 2005.

Additionally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration also stated that of these reported IVC filter problems, 328 reports received involved IVC filter migration, 146 was due to IVC filter components, 70 occurred because of the perforation of the major inferior vena cava vein, and last 56 reported incidents involving IVC filter fracture.

The FDA, further warns that IVC filter problems are more likely to be related to permanent or long-term use of the medical device. The federal agency cautions that the medical device is intended to be used temporarily. Once the risk of pulmonary embolism occurring in a patient subsides, the filter should be removed as soon as possible.

To help decrease the risk of IVC filter problems, the FDA now recommends that physicians remove retrievable IVC filters as soon as the patient’s risk of blood clot-related injuries has passed.