The number of inferior vena cava (IVC) blood clot filter lawsuits has recently reached over 1,500 lawsuits, with consumers alleging similar blood clot filter side effects.

The majority of these IVC blood clot filter lawsuits are centered around the retrievable models, which have been alleged to have been made of inferior materials than the permanent models.

Originally IVC blood clot filters could only be recommended and implanted for permanent fixture, to prevent blood clot attacks occurring the heart or lungs.

IVC filters are small cage like devices and are directly implanted into the vena cava, which is the largest vein in the body.

These devices work by trapping blood clots forming in the legs or pelvis until the clot resolves itself, ultimately preventing the clots from traveling to the heart and lungs.

Overview of IVC Blood Clot Filter Side Effects

Recently different medical manufacturing companies have developed their own reversible IVC blood clot filters, to which patients can have removed after the blood clots are resolved.

However the retrievable filters have been allegedly causing numerous IVC filter blood clot filter side effects, which have either compounded the patient’s condition or presented an entirely new medical complication altogether.

The temporary IVC blood clot filters repeatedly break apart and migrate away from the implant site, damaging veins and failing to stop the blood clots.

In 2010, the FDA released a public safety warning regarding retrievable IVC blood clot filter side effects, stating that it had received 921 injury reports from 2005 to 2010.

According to the agency approximately 35% of these injuries, which was the majority of the reports, involved device migration.

The second most common of the IVC blood clot filter side effects was embolization, which can be potentially fatal for patients.

The FDA recently updated its warning in 2014, stating that the temporary IVC blood clot filters should be removed between the 29th and 54th day after the blood clots are resolved.

The IVC blood clot side effects the FDA and the medical community are wary against includes:

• Device Migration from the Implantation Site
• Filter Perforation of the Inferior Vena Cava
• Filter Fracture
• Detached device components (Device Embolization)

According to a recent study by Baylor Scott & White Health’s Department of Radiology in Dallas, researchers believe the temporary IVC blood clot filters may be fracturing due to the “foreshortening and flattening” of the vena cava.

The scientists stated that due to the vessel contracting, the temporary IVC blood clot filters could be breaking apart and migrating away from the implant site.

Researchers had also found that removing the IVC blood clot filters were much easier if done soon than later, due to the fact that tissue surrounding the device grows and cements itself into the body.

Even though these IVC blood clot filter side effects can be potentially fatal, manufacturing companies allegedly omitted them on the products’ warning labels.

Patients who suffered IVC blood clot filter side effects may be able to file legal action against the manufacturing company, and should consult a specialized lawyer to determine their eligibility.