IVC Filter Dangers

In general, patients do not receive an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter unless they are very sick and at high risk of a life-threatening pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs). For these patients, the benefits of an IVC filter outweigh the danger. However, the dangers of IVC filters increases substantially when patients receive temporary filters that are not retrieved after their risk of pulmonary embolism subsides.

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.

Do the Benefits Justify the Dangers?

Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filters are widely accepted in the medical community with little evidence of efficacy, according to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine in 2013. Other studies have raised concern about the dangers of IVC filters versus the benefit:

“It appears the vast majority of filters that are placed in patients with a pulmonary embolism may not reduce mortality. … Only a small percentage of patients suffering from a pulmonary embolism are in shock or in need of ventilation support, and therefore only a small proportion need a filter.”

Dangers of an IVC Filter

It can migrate (change position) or get stuck in an ineffective position where it fails to protect against blood clots.
It can erode or perforate the inferior vena cava, causing damage to blood vessels and internal organs.
It can break and fragments can travel in the bloodstream to vital organs, such as the heart (valves or right ventricle), lungs, or kidneys.
It can damage vital organs.
It may be impossible to remove, which increases a patient’s risk of long-term complications.

FDA Warning for IVC Filter Dangers

In August 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a Safety Communication to warn that they received 921 adverse events involving retrievable IVC filters since 2005, including:

328 reports of migration
146 reports of embolizations (detachment of device components)
70 reports of inferior vena cava perforation
56 reports of filter fracture

The FDA was concerned that retrievable IVC filters, only intended for short-term protection against pulmonary embolism, were not being removed as soon as a patient’s risk of pulmonary embolism subsided.

Retrievable IVC filters include:

Bard Recovery (withdrawn in 2005)
Bard G2
Bard G2 Express / G2x
B Braun Tempofilter
Cook Günther Tulip
Cook Celect
ALN IVC Filter
Rex Medical Option

Cordis Optease IVC Filter Recall — May Be Implanted Backward

In March 2013, Cordis Corporation announced a Class 1 recall of the Cordis Optease retrievable IVC filter to clarify labeling instructions and minimize the risk of implanting the filter backward. The recall affected 33,000 units sold in the United States between May 2010 and April 2013.

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.