If you need an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter, you should be aware of some of the potential side effects of an IVC filter.

IVC filters are designed to be physical barriers between blood clots and the lungs. These tiny cage-like medical devices are used when patients cannot tolerate anticoagulant medications, commonly referred to as blood thinners.

They are implanted inside the inferior vena cava, a vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the lower half of the body back to the right atrium of the heart. Once in place, their job is to catch blood clots that might otherwise cause a stroke or a pulmonary embolism. While blood clots can be serious or even life-threatening problems, IVC filters themselves may pose a risk for patients as well.

What Happens If an IVC Filter Moves?

Potential dangerous side effects of an IVC filter can include migration of the device to another part of the body. In some cases, the IVC filter is unable to withstand the pressure of the blood clot that it’s supposed to stop, which allows the device to be pushed up into the heart or lungs. IVC filter migration can lead to penetration or filter fracture.

Would Device Migration Be Painful?

One patient claims she felt as if she was being stabbed in the stomach with a knife when her IVC filter allegedly twisted and poked through the walls of the vein. Her IVC filter had been implanted about three years prior, and she underwent surgery that required a 10-inch incision in her abdomen to retrieve the filter and repair the damage it caused.

Is Pain the First Indication of All Side Effects of an IVC Filter?

Some complications are not painful and may include air being introduced into a blood vessel or heart rhythm issues.

What Types of Complications Can Begin Upon Placement of the IVC Filter?

If the device tilts or fails to open, the IVC filter may actually increase the risk of a pulmonary embolism, which is a blood clot in the lung. IVC filters also might increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis, which is the formation of blood clots in the deepest veins of the body. Other early complications may include bleeding, punctures of the vein’s wall, or infection.

Can an IVC Filter Break Inside the Body?

Yes, an IVC filter has been known to break apart after implantation. The broken parts may migrate to organs where they can cause perforations. Sometimes a broken piece will pierce through the wall of the inferior vena cava.

What Could It Mean If My Legs Start Swelling?

In some cases, an IVC filter will stop so many clots that blood flow is extremely hindered. This will cause the legs to swell.

Are There Risks of Retrieving an IVC Filter?

Because of the risks associated with IVC filter migration, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has encouraged physicians to leave temporary IVC filters in only so long as they are needed and to remove them as soon as possible. If filters are left in the body for too long, they may lead to complications like deep vein thrombosis (DVT), filter migration, caval penetration, IVC filter fracture, and more. Leaving in an IVC filter longer may make it more difficult to remove the device, and require non-standard removal techniques.

An IVC filter may fracture during removal, increasing the chances of tearing the wall of the inferior vena cava. In some cases, the IVC filter will become broken apart or embedded in a part of the body that makes retrievable too difficult, and the filter remains in the patient.

Still, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends having an IVC filter removed as soon as the imminent threat of a pulmonary embolism has passed. The FDA has issued data that says the risks of leaving an IVC filter in start to outweigh the benefits somewhere between 29 and 54 days post-implantation.

Filing an IVC Filter Lawsuit

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