Sage Datko  |  October 23, 2020

Category: Legal News

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There is more than one way to remove an IVC filter.

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are small devices that are surgically implanted in the vein that carries blood throughout the body, back to the heart and lungs. The purpose of an IVC filter is to trap blood clots and prevent them from making their way to the heart or lungs, where they can become dangerous, even deadly.

The North American Thrombosis Forum (NATF) explains that IVC filters work by trapping blood clots inside of the cage-like device and holding them until they are naturally dissolved by the body. When blood clots do make their way from the lower extremities to the lungs, serious health consequences may occur, including trouble breathing, chest pain, heart attack, or pulmonary embolism.

Although marketed as potentially life-saving devices, IVC filter complications can be dangerous. Many of these complications are linked to temporary IVC filters that have not been removed.

Why Would You Remove an IVC Filter?

While some IVC filters are meant to be implanted permanently, others are temporary and meant to be removed once the risk for clots has diminished. This may occur after the patient has taken blood thinners, or after a patient’s circumstances put them less at risk for a clot. According to a study on the removal of IVC filters, these temporary devices are only removed around 33% of the time.

Retrievable filters are newer. They can be permanent or temporary, as their retrieval is “optional.” Radiology Info explains that in some cases, a filter designed to be retrievable may not be able to be removed if it scars to the vein. In these cases, they are often left in place if they are not causing the patient harm.

Many serious side effects have been linked to IVC filters that were meant to be temporary but have not been removed. Side effects may include:

  • Filter migration
  • Filter fracture and breakage, resulting in organ perforation and internal injuries
  • Deep vein thrombosis, or the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the lower leg
  • Access site thrombosis
  • IVC thrombosis

According to a study, while IVC filters may reduce the likelihood of a pulmonary embolism in the days and weeks following the device’s placement, after two years the devices increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis and other complications by about 10%. For patients who have had their devices for five years, approximately 40% are at risk of experiencing filter fracture or breakage.

Penn Medicine explains that a permanent filter may need to be removed because it can actually increase the risk of new clots forming in the abdomen and legs. Additionally, some filters may degrade over time. If it degrades, the filter may fracture, and its metal pieces can scratch or pierce artery walls.

IVC filter removal surgeryHow Do You Remove an IVC Filter?

The procedure to place and remove an IVC filter is considered minimally invasive and often performed by an interventional radiologist, according to Radiology Info. IVC filter removal procedures are generally done as an outpatient under sedation. Patients are usually able to return to normal activities the following day. IVC filter removal is usually performed under local anesthesia and moderate sedation. Less commonly it can be done under general anesthesia.

IVC filter removal is very similar to the surgery to implant the device. A small wire with a hook at one end is inserted into the large vein in the neck. A doctor uses an X-ray machine to guide the hook and wire through the vein and snag the filter for removal. If pulling the filter out with the wire is unsuccessful, other techniques may be employed.

Less commonly, IVC filters can be removed using forceps. This is often done when the more traditional method is unsuccessful. IVC filter retrieval by forceps has a nearly 100% success rate. In some cases, patients taking blood thinners may be asked to stop taking blood thinners around the time of the procedure.

Complications associated with IVC filter removal may include bleeding, blood clots, and other side effects.

Unfortunately, it may be difficult to remove IVC filters that have fractured or migrated. When these devices fracture, small metal pieces may break off and travel throughout the body. In addition to moving from the original location, it may also puncture or adhere to other areas. In these cases, it may be necessary to remove the broken devices, but difficult to do so. According to a study of nearly 1,000 patients, more than 18% of IVC filter removal surgeries fail if the filter has been left in place longer than medically necessary. Nearly 8% of patients who underwent removal surgery long after the IVC filter had been placed suffered from venous thrombotic events such as pulmonary emboli.

A surgeon who has removed some 1,000 failed IVC filters, including many that had fractured or migrated told NBC News that doctors may be hesitant to remove an IVC filter because of the risks involved and the complexity of removal surgeries.

People who have suffered IVC filter side effects may be eligible to hire an attorney and file a class action lawsuit. Even if you have not suffered device migration, perforation, or blood clots, patients who have been implanted with IVC filters may still qualify to join an investigation.

In 2019, a Georgia woman who suffered IVC filter injuries was awarded nearly $34 million. According to plaintiff Tracy R., her IVC filter was supposed to be removable, however, when surgeons attempted to remove the device, they found that it had perforated her inferior vena cava, pancreas, aorta, and renal vein. As they attempted to remove the filter, it became stuck. Following a three-hour surgery, Tracy’s doctors closed her up, leaving the filter in place. According to expert testimony at trial, the filter continues to be a risk to Tracy’s health and well being.

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.

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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.

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