Sage Datko  |  September 20, 2020

Category: Legal News

Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.

Human Heart Blood System

Implantation with a retrievable IVC filter is a common method of preventing blood clots, but can these devices get stuck and result in IVC filter complications?

What Is a Retrievable IVC Filter?

An IVC filter, or inferior vena cava filter, is a device that is inserted into the vena cava (the largest vein of the human body) in order to prevent blood clots that, if they traveled through this vein, could head into the lungs and heart. Blood clots can cause serious or even life-threatening problems, especially regarding the lungs or heart—if these are affected, it could cause a pulmonary embolism.

There are several methods of preventing blood clot complications like pulmonary embolism. Another popular option is blood thinner medications like Pradaxa or Coumadin. However, some patients cannot take blood thinners safely, and some simply prefer not to, so a retrievable IVC filter is a common option.

IVC filters work by acting as a net that catches blood clots before they can reach the lungs or heart. These devices are often described as looking similar to a spindly metal spider. However, these spindly legs may be prone to breaking off and traveling through the body, causing damage to the internal organs.

What Are Side Effects of IVC Filters?

Unfortunately, the use of a retrievable IVC filter has been linked with some serious complications, most severe when the device that is supposed to be temporary is not actually removed.

The most common complications associated with an IVC filter are, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

  • IVC thrombosis
  • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
  • Access site thrombosis
  • Filter migration
  • Caval penetration
  • IVC filter fracture

Because of these risks, the FDA has encouraged physicians to remove temporary IVC filters as soon as they are no longer needed in order to minimize the risk of potential side effects.

Retrievable IVC filters may get stuck.Can IVC Filters Get Stuck?

Retrievable IVC filters are most often removed using a filter grasping device and then pulled out carefully through either the jugular or femoral vein. If an IVC filter has been in place for a while, connective tissue may have grown in around the filter and hold it in tight, making it more difficult to remove.

If filters are left in the body, however, this can lead to fracturing, migration, or penetration, among other potential complications. Filters left in for more than a year may need non-standard approaches for removal, such as laser sheath tissue ablation, which helps to free it up in places it may have become stuck.

According to one patient who suffered from complications of her IVC filter, she began to experience abdominal side effects approximately ten years after the device was initially implanted. After she went to the hospital to receive testing, she discovered that the device had fractured, and was now perforating her small intestine. According to her, it was only millimeters from slicing into her aorta and potentially killing her. Unfortunately, many patients who have not had their IVC filters removed have reported similar stories of dangerous complications. Additionally, even when patients have gone in for IVC filter removal surgery, almost 20% of surgeries to remove IVC filters that have been left in longer than necessary fail.

In another case, a firefighter who received a retrievable IVC filter was unable to have the device removed a few months later, due to the device embedding itself in a blood vessel. In addition to resisting two separate attempts to remove the device, it had also perforated his small intestine and his aorta. He was able to win a $1.2 million award from a jury who agreed that he was not warned about these dangers by the device manufacturer.

Can I File a Retrievable IVC Filter Lawsuit?

If you or someone you love has suffered from side effects after implantation with a retrievable IVC filter, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation.

Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by these side effects, nor can it bring a loved one back to life, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

See if You Qualify to Join an IVC Filter Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you were implanted with an IVC filter, you may be entitled to compensation–even if you did not suffer complications. Patients who did suffer complications may be able to seek significantly more compensation.

Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. 

Get a Free Case Evaluation

We tell you about cash you can claim EVERY WEEK! Sign up for our free newsletter.


Get Help Now

See if You Qualify to Join an IVC Filter Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you qualify, an attorney will contact you to discuss the details of your potential claim.

PLEASE NOTE: If you want to participate in this investigation, it is imperative that you reply to the law firm if they call or email you. Failing to do so may result in you not getting signed up as a client or getting you dropped as a client.

E-mail any problems with this form to:
Questions@TopClassActions.com.

Oops! We could not locate your form.

Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.