Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are designed to prevent blood clots in patients who cannot use blood thinners. While they have enjoyed widespread use for some years, there is a good deal of controversy that surrounds them as well.
To date, there have been thousand of reports of issues arising from the use and removal of these devices. IVC filters are susceptible to migration within the body and the procedure to remove even the most modern versions can still be very dangerous and difficult to perform.
The attorneys at Hotze Runkle PLLC take great pride in staying current on news related to the various legal services we provide so that our clients can be well-informed as well.
Recent information shows that the use of IVC filters is a medical topic that is under considerable scrutiny, and because of this, professionals in the medical field are beginning to reexamine the use of the devices and the frequency in which they are implanted in patients.
Decreases in Use
One encouraging sign regarding the potential health and safety hazards associated with IVC filters is that there continues to be a decline in their use. This drop in the number of IVC filters in use began in 2010 shortly after the FDA issued a safety alert about devices that had been implanted for an extended period of time.
This overall decrease, however, has not been uniform across the country. The Northeastern U.S. has seen the bulk of the reduction, due in part to a medical environment that sees more disputes find their way into the courts. Western states have also seen decreases, but the legal atmosphere of their medical world does not have such a contentious streak.
Southern states have not experienced the same cutbacks in IVC use, largely due to tort reforms. These changes have made it harder for plaintiffs in these cases, not only to win settlements but the size of the settlements has been capped as well.
Regardless of what part of the country you find yourself in, there is likely to be a facility specializing in the removal of IVC filters. As the use of IVC filters began to decline, the number of places a patient could go to have one taken out rose greatly.
Instances of Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
Another factor that may contribute to the decline of IVC filters is that new studies are calling into question the effectiveness the devices have had in reducing the rate of PE. One particular study, published in JAMA Surgery, documents how the sharp decline in IVC use in trauma has not resulted in a rise in PE rates.
This relationship calls into question how useful these devices are in helping prevent blood clots. The possibility that they do not have much influence over the number of PE cases is something that has become hard to ignore for many physicians across the country.
While the authors of the study do not advocate the complete discontinuation of IVC filter use, they do acknowledge that there is still research to be done into their implementation.
Finding the safest ways and situations to employ IVC filters is still something that eludes even the most inquisitive and well-intentioned medical minds, which is probably as telling as recommending they not be used.
There continue to be many positive signs regarding the removal of IVC filters from medical use.
Future patients deserve to be treated with alternatives that do not come with as many safety questions.
If you or your family are seeking help with IVC filter litigation, the attorneys at Hotze Runkle PLLC are here to find the solutions to your problems and get you the justice you’ve been searching for.
Unfortunately, there are still many in need of legal aid because of the medical and health complications they have faced due to the use of an IVC filter.
The attorneys at Hotze Runkle PLLC are committed to helping those have been harmed by IVC filters.
If you or a loved one has suffered physical, emotional, and financial complications, or even death as a result of an IVC filter, Hotze Runkle PLLC is here to help.
Contact us today at (877) 919-0830.
Please be aware that there is a statute of limitations which bars claims not brought within an allotted time period after the injury occurred. Please contact us today for a free case evaluation to review your legal options and ensure proper legal guidance in your time of need.
Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filters are small, cage-like devices implanted in the IVC vein of patients who are at risk of bloods clots, but cannot use anticoagulants (blood thinners). The devices are designed to stop a rising blood clot before it reaches the heart or lungs of a patient.
Unfortunately, IVC filters have gained a high level of notoriety, as the FDA has received more than 1,000 adverse event reports involving the metal devices. There have been a substantial number of patient injuries and deaths from IVC filters malfunctioning within the patient’s body.
Alarmingly, reports suggest that a leading manufacturer of IVC filters was aware of the potential complications, yet still marketed and sold the devices.
Severe complications include:
- Filter fracture
- IVC perforation
- Damage to vital organs (i.e. lungs and heart)
- Heart blockage
- Death
At Hotze Runkle PLLC, we are committed to helping those who have suffered harm at the hands of negligent and deceitful manufacturers. Your injury and pain deserve justice. Let our legal representatives serve your needs.
Potential Symptoms of IVC Malfunctioning
If you are the recipient of an IVC filter and have been experiencing pain in various regions of your body, the following symptoms may suggest that the filter is malfunctioning or has been clogged with a blood clot.
Abdominal or Back Pain
The potential symptoms of a malfunctioning IVC filter vary from patient to patient with some cases having asymptomatic complications and others undergoing heart rhythm problems.<
One of the most commonly occurring signs of a IVC filter migration is abdominal and back pain. This can occur as a result of the IVC traveling throughout your blood vessels and lodging itself in an organ or other vein.
If the pain correlates with specific bodily movement, then the patient should visit a doctor and get examined to ensure that the filter has not moved from its intended location.
Pain in Lower Extremities
IVC filters help to reduce the risks associated with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and are intended to prevent clots in the legs and pelvis from traveling up to the lungs and causing pulmonary embolism.
Because of this, patients may interpret pain in the legs as an issue of their DVT, but extreme pain should not rule out filter migration or perforation.
Furthermore, painfully swollen legs may show that the filter has become clogged.
Patients should visit their primary care provider if the issues continue for some time.
Symptoms in the Heart Area
If the filter has fractured and one of its struts has traveled into the heart, symptoms patients should watch for to include:
- Chest pain
- Neck pain
- Confusion
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Abnormally rapid heart rate
If the IVC filter remains embedded in the heart, then the following severe conditions can arise:
- Cardiac tamponade
- Hole in the heart
- Heart rhythm problems
- Stroke
- Hemorrhaging
- Internal bleeding
If the IVC filter has caused severe damage to the heart, then open heart surgery may be required to remedy the issue.
Asymptomatic Concerns
In many cases, the migration of an IVC filter may not be accompanied by any symptoms. As blood vessels to have any nerve endings within them, internal injuries may be asymptomatic—meaning producing no sign or symptoms.
These scenarios can be just as dangerous as patients may not even recognize they have a problem until receiving an x-ray or CT scan.
A minor movement by a IVC filter can lead to slight tears in major veins that can continue to grow over time until major issues arise and emergency invasive surgery is required.
Dealing with pain and medical complications as a result of an IVC filter? Let Hotze Runkle PLLC fight for you.
The attorneys at Hotze Runkle PLLC are committed to helping those have been harmed by IVC filters.
If you or a loved one has suffered physical, emotional, and financial complications, or even death as a result of an IVC filter, Hotze Runkle PLLC is here to help.
Contact us today at (877) 919-0830.
There is a statute of limitations which bars claims not brought within an allotted time period after the injury occurred. Please contact us for a free consultation to review your legal options and ensure proper legal guidance in your time of need. Hotze Runkle PLLC will review your experiences and determine if your case qualifies for compensation.