Inferior vena cava filters, also known as IVC filters, are medical devices used to prevent a patient from developing serious blood clotting complications, such as when blood clots form in a patient’s lungs or heart.

The IVC filter is placed into the inferior vena cava, which is the largest vein in the human body and has the capacity to prevent blood clots from moving into important areas of the body.

IVC filters play an important role in preventing serious side effects for patients, since blood clots travelling to the heart or lungs can cause injury or death.

Some patients choose instead to use an anticoagulant or blood thinner to prevent such clotting problems.

Although blood clot filters are intended to be life-saving devices, patients have reported a range of serious vein filter adverse side effects.

About a quarter million patients receive these blood clot filter devices each year, so any significant side effects linked to such devices could create a serious and widespread problem.

Vein Filter Adverse Side Effects

Serious vein filter adverse side effects can occur if the filter device is defective or incorrectly placed in the vein. A defective or incorrectly placed device can cause serious vein filter adverse side effects, including:

• Vein perforation
• Organ perforation
• Device migration/breakage
• Pulmonary embolism

Blood clot filter patients who suffer from these serious vein filter adverse side effects should seek medical attention to have their filter removed.

In more serious cases, it may be too dangerous for blood clot filter removal, as any movement could cause immediate serious damage.

Some patients who experienced vein filter adverse side effects were forced to undergo removal of their blood clot filter device in order to prevent further damage.

Vein Filter Adverse Side Effects Lawsuits

Many patients who have experienced serious vein filter adverse side effects such as perforation have responded by filing lawsuits against manufacturers of their device, alleging that the filters are not worth the risk, and that manufacturers intentionally concealed the seriousness of side effects from consumers and the larger medical community.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that hundreds of patients have reported vein filter adverse side effects in the last ten years.

Lawsuits over vein filter adverse side effects allege that device manufacturers have a responsibility to warn consumers and the medical community about the serious risks associated with their filter devices.

Filing an IVC filter lawsuit cannot repair the damage a patient suffers, but can help compensate for financial losses from medical expenses and lost wages a patient may experience.

If you or someone you know has been implanted with an IVC filter and suffered from vein filter adverse side effects such as perforation, you may be able to file an IVC filter lawsuit.