IVC filter problems can be as dangerous as some of the conditions the device is intended to prevent.

The Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) is the major vein that returns deoxygenated blood to the heart and is where IVC filters are placed and IVC filter problems originate. The vein runs close to the aorta, which supplies the organ systems and extremities with life-giving nutrients.

According to the National Institute of Health, IVC filters, cage-like traps placed in the vein are designed to prevent Pulmonary Embolism (PE), a severe form of thromboembolic disease in which blood clots are formed and travel to the heart and lungs causing life-threatening functional interference. PE is associated with Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), a condition in which blood clots are formed in the legs and lower body.

Because of the potential for IVC filter problems, the first line of treatment for these disorders is drug-based anticoagulation. Nevertheless, there are situations where anticoagulation is ineffective or contraindicated and placement of an IVC filter is employed. In addition, some patients simply prefer the IVC option over taking medication. However, there are unfortunately some risks associated with IVC filter use.

What are IVC Filter Problems?

IVC filters were once designed to be permanently placed until medical device manufacturers saw an opportunity to expand the market to include patients whose risk of blood clot injury was only temporary. Those who were believed to be in short-term danger were victims of trauma whose recovery required them to be bedridden for lengthy periods of time. Since this expansion, most filters are now designed to be retrievable.

As indicated by Palm Vascular Centers, filters sometimes are left in for much longer and can have fragments break off and travel to other organs or even the heart. If they don’t break, the IVC filters can migrate from their original positioning and perforate vital tissues or become clogged.

These issues are potentially quite dangerous, but may be asymptomatic in the traditional sense. The blood vessels are not supplied with pain receptors, so it is not uncommon to have IVC filter issues that the patient can’t feel until severe problems arise.

Are There Symptoms I Should Be On The Lookout For?

Pain in the upper body may be significant for a piece of the IVC filter’s strut getting lodged in the heart. This could be experienced as increased heart rate, neck and chest pain, confusion and disorientation, lightheadedness, difficulty catching your breath, and stomach upset.

If there has been fragment perforation in other organs, ongoing pain in the mid to low back area or abdominal region has been noted. In cases where filters have become clogged and are reducing overall blood flow, legs have been known to swell and become very painful.

The FDA and IVC Filter Adverse Events

According to the American College of Cardiology, a safety communication released from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2010 concerning a review of nearly 1,000 adverse events related to IVC filter placement resulted in a decrease in IVC filter usage in the following years. Despite an atmosphere of uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of this device and a reduced tendency of insurance companies to reimburse for implantation, filters are used 25 percent more frequently in the U.S. than in Europe.

The treatment is clearly being used more conservatively and only in situations where other efforts to stop blood clots have proved ineffective. When they are used, the buyer must be aware and be an active participant in their own health care.

Common IVC Filter Side Effects

Commonly reported side effects of IVC filters include:

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

In order to reduce the risk of these side effects, the FDA has encouraged that physicians remove temporary IVC filters as soon as they are no longer needed. Filters left in the body for too long may lead to some of these complications or may be difficult to remove and require non-standard removal techniques.

Filing an IVC Filter Lawsuit

If you or someone you love has suffered from these or other complications due to the use of an IVC filter device, 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, especially while dealing with health complications, 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.