When a person is at risk of developing a blood clot and cannot take blood thinners or they have a history of developing blog clots, their doctor may recommend an IVC filter. The purpose of an IVC filter is to essentially allow blood to continue to pass through to the heart and lungs, but catch blood clots if they form. The goal is to reduce the risk of a pulmonary embolism.
IVC Filters Aren’t Meant to Be Permanent
IVC filters weren’t designed to be permanent solutions. They are meant to be removed after the risk of developing blood clots has passed. However, the time period recommended by the FDA is between 29 and 54 days after it was placed into the body. This time period was developed from a risk / benefit profile produced by the FDA in May 2014 when they issued a safety communication regarding IVC filters to doctors.
FDA Finds Dangers in the IVC Filter Removal Process
The reason it is so important to have IVC filters removed within the time period of 29 – 54 days after it was inserted is because the longer it stays in the body, the more likely it is that the patient will have complications during the removal process or suffer another adverse event before it is removed. Adverse events associated with filter removal include:
- Blood clot filter migration. This means that the IVC filter moves. This is extremely dangerous for the patient.
- The filter could fracture. When the filter fractures, the shard can travel through the circulatory system and into the heart or lungs and cause the patient to have a heart attack or pulmonary embolism.
- If the filter fractures or moves, it can perforate a vein, an artery, or an organ.
- It becomes harder to remove the filter. The longer the filter stays in the body, the more difficult it becomes to remove it.
The FDA has determined through their study that these issues have less of a chance if the filter is removed sooner.
IVC Filter Lawyers Filing Lawsuits on Behalf of Injured Patients and Families
Sadly, IVC filters are often not removed as soon as they should be. Only around one-third of patients with a filter ever have it removed. Additionally, some of the IVC filter manufacturers knew there were risks involved with their products.
One of the main risks associated with IVC filters is that they may fracture. If that happens, the patient can die from the very thing the filter was supposed to prevent: a pulmonary embolism. They can also cause internal bleeding, stroke, problems with heart rhythm, and dangerously low blood pressure.
IVC filter lawyers have started filing lawsuits on behalf of injured patients and their families to help them hold people accountable for the injuries. Patients and their families may be entitled to receive compensation for their injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and funeral expenses.
If you or someone you love was hurt because of an IVC filter, contact Goldwater Law Firm. Our team of IVC filter lawyers provide free case evaluations. Call us right away. IVC filter lawsuits have a time limit on them. To protect your potential legal rights, reach out to us now.