Published by If you or a loved one experienced complications—such as fracture, migration, blood clots or infection—after implantation of an AngioFlow Vortex Port or similar AngioDynamics port catheter system, you may have a product liability claim.
Our medical-device litigation team provides free, no-obligation evaluations and accepts representation on a contingency-fee basis.
Table Of Contents
What’s the Problem?
The Vortex Port is an implantable vascular access port manufactured by AngioDynamics, Inc. and distributed for long-term intravenous therapy, including chemotherapy and repeated infusions.
Lawsuits allege that these and other port products such as the SmartPort and BioFlo contain defective catheter tubing—specifically, excess barium sulfate filler—that may degrade prematurely and lead to cracks, migration, leakage, thrombus formation or infection. [1]
Complaints now total hundreds of cases consolidated into multi-district litigation (MDL No. 3125 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California) to address common issues across these implantable ports. [2]
Latest Updates
- October 03, 2024 – The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation issues Transfer Order consolidating suits against AngioDynamics port catheter products—including Vortex and SmartPort devices—into MDL 3125. [3]
- July 22, 2025 – A complaint in Oregon alleges that a SmartPort catheter device fractured, caused a pulmonary embolism and required revision surgery, naming AngioDynamics and subsidiary Navilyst as defendants. [4]
- October 20, 2025 – Legal-analysis sites report more than 200 lawsuits currently linked to AngioDynamics’ port catheter implant line, with bellwether trial selection underway and anticipated decisions potentially influencing future claims. [2]
Product & Usage Overview
Implantable access ports like the AngioFlow Vortex consist of a reservoir (port chamber) implanted beneath the skin and a tunneled catheter tip placed in a central vein (e.g., the superior vena cava).
These devices allow repeated vascular access via needle insertion into the port, minimizing peripheral IV damage. While marketed for long-term use, plaintiffs allege catastrophic failures including catheter cracking, migrated fragments and drug leakage into tissue—all requiring corrective procedures.
The core allegation centers on design and manufacturing defects: plaintiffs claim AngioDynamics used higher concentrations of barium sulfate in catheter tubing to enhance radiopacity, rendering the silicone brittle and prone to micro-fractures.
Additionally, insufficient testing and inadequate warnings may have allowed these risks to persist undetected for years.
Injuries & Side Effects
Patients implanted with a Vortex or similar port may have experienced:
– Catheter fracture or cracking: Leading to device failure, migration of fragments and unintended infusion outside the vascular system.
– Blood-clot formation (DVT or pulmonary embolism): Caused by catheter surface irregularities or migratory fragments that provoke thrombosis.
– Device migration: Fragments or entire catheter sections moving into lungs, heart or adjacent vessels, causing organ damage or embolism.
– Chronic infection or sepsis: Resulting from catheter faults or leaks allowing contamination—a particular risk in immune-compromised patients.
– Additional surgeries and hospitalizations: Revision or explant procedures, extended antibiotic courses, prolonged recovery and long-term impairment.
Do You Qualify for a Vortex Port Lawsuit?
You may have a claim if you:
– Received a Vortex Port (or other AngioDynamics port such as SmartPort, BioFlo) between around 2010 and present.
– Experienced one or more complications such as catheter fracture, migration, blood clots, infection, device removal or revision surgery.
– Have medical records showing implantation, complication treatment, and device model/serial identification.
– Are within your state’s statute of limitations (typically one to three years following discovery of device failure or injury).
Evidence Required
Essential documentation includes:
– Surgical implant report identifying the device model and date.
– Medical records post-implant documenting complications and treatments.
– Explantation reports, imaging or pathology demonstrating fracture, migration or thrombosis.
– Purchase or hospital billing records verifying device implantation.
– Correspondence with physician or manufacturer acknowledging problem or covering revision.
Damages You Can Recover
Potential recoveries may include:
– Past and future medical expenses—implant removal, revision surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation.
– Lost wages or diminished earning capacity due to complications or recovery.
– Pain, suffering and reduced quality of life due to permanent injury.
– Costs of future monitoring or procedures if device failure causes ongoing harm.
– Punitive damages (where allowed) if manufacturer knowingly withheld risk information or misled users.
Legal Theories & Liability Grounds
Claims against AngioDynamics may rest on:
– Design defect: The Vortex and other ports allegedly incorporated materials that degraded unreasonably under normal use.
– Manufacturing defect: Individual devices may deviate from design tolerances, fracturing prematurely.
– Failure to warn: Patients and healthcare providers were allegedly not adequately informed about fracture, migration or infection risks.
– Strict liability: The device, when used as intended, presented an unreasonable risk of serious injury.
– Breach of warranty: The device was marketed as safe for long-term use, yet failed under legitimate conditions.
Even though no discrete Vortex-only class action has been publicly disclosed, the broader MDL includes the Vortex model and forms the legal vehicle for affected patients’ claims.
Statute of Limitations & Timing
Statutes vary by state, but typically one to three years apply from when you discover—or should have discovered—the injury. Because these device failures may manifest years after implantation, earlier legal consultation is prudent to avoid missing deadlines and to preserve vital medical and device records.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is there a class action specifically for the Vortex Port? No public class action tailored solely to the Vortex Port exists; however, the MDL covers it among other AngioDynamics port models.
- Can I file if my device was removed before failure? Yes; if you have records showing device removal due to malfunction, damage or revision, you may qualify.
- What if I don’t know the model name? Provide your surgical or hospital records showing an “AngioDynamics implantable port” and your attorney can help identify the exact model from lot numbers or operative reports.
References
- https://www.peircelaw.com/defective-medical-devices/angiodynamics-port-catheter/
- https://www.torhoermanlaw.com/angiodynamics-port-catheter-lawsuit/angio-dynamics-port-lawsuit-settlement-amounts/
- https://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/sites/jpml/files/MDL-3125-Transfer_Order-9-24.pdf
- https://www.aboutlawsuits.com/angiodynamics-port-catheter-lawsuit/smartport-pulmonary-embolism-lawsuit-angiodynamics/