Chest pain is one of the most common symptoms of an Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filter that has migrated (shifted from its intended position), fractured, or perforated an internal organ. When this complication occurs, patients are at risk of major cardiovascular events. Patients with an IVC filter who experience chest pain need to contact a doctor immediately — it could be a sign of a life-threatening complication.
Need an IVC Filter Lawyer in Texas? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans. If you or a loved one has an IVC filter implant, even if you were not injured by side effects, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
IVC Filter Complications
Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filters are cage-like wire devices that are designed to catch blood clots. They are implanted in patients who have blood clots in their legs (deep vein thrombosis) who cannot take a blood-thinning medication. Today, retrievable filters are increasingly being used for short-term protection against pulmonary embolism.
Unfortunately, when retrievable IVC filters are not removed as soon as a patients is not at risk of pulmonary embolism, there is a significantly higher risk of complications that can cause chest pain. These complications may include filter fracture, migration, perforation of internal organs, laceration of blood vessels, and more.
IVC Filters and Chest Pain
Chest pain from an IVC filter is usually severe and persistent, but it may also come and go (relapse). The pain may feel like “heaviness,” discomfort, burning, aching, or stabbing, and it may occur anywhere from the neck to the upper abdomen. Depending on the cause, chest pain may be accompanied by:
- heart palpitations
- nausea
- dizziness
- shortness of breath
- abdominal pain
- profuse sweating
- and more
Although chest pain is often a symptom of heart problems, it can also be caused by problems in the lungs (such as a pulmonary embolism), esophagus, ribs, muscles, or nerves. Not all conditions are life-threatening, but chest pain should always be evaluated immediately by a medical professional — especially in patients who have an IVC filter.
Studies of IVC Filters and Chest Pain
- Journal of Vascular Surgery (2013) — 18 months after receiving an IVC filter, a 52 year-old patient complaining of chronic chest pain had his IVC filter removed. Doctors found that the filter had penetrated his inferior vena cava.
- The International Journal of Angiology (2009) — Case report involving 61 year-old woman who had intermittent chest pain, nausea, shortness of breath, and right-sided abdominal pain. She had a Bard G2 retrievable IVC filter migrated to a vein in her kidney.
- Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine (2012) — Five years after receiving an IVC filter, a 32 year-old female patient was admitted to a hospital with chest pain. Doctors found that her filter had fractured and migrated to the pulmonary arteries.
- Clinical Cardiology (2008) — A 43 year-old female had sudden chest pain, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath. She was implanted with an IVC filter, which migrated to her tricuspid valve and caused a fatal cardiopulmonary arrest.
- Journal of Cardiac Surgery (2008) — Eight months after receiving an IVC filter, a 40 year-old woman was admitted to a hospital complaining of chest pain. Doctors found that a fractured strut of her IVC filter had migrated into her heart.
IVC Filter Lawsuit Information
Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one has an IVC Filter, our lawyers would like to speak with you immediately. We are evaluating every case regardless of whether you experienced side effects or not. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit. Please use the form below to contact our lawyers or call us toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 879-3040.
Need an IVC Filter Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our Texas IVC filter lawyers for a free lawsuit review.
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