Published by Our legal team is currently examining the possibility of filing lawsuits on behalf of individuals harmed by inferior vena cava (IVC) filters manufactured by B. Braun. The issues associated with these products range from perforated organs and movement of the device to broken filters, veins puncture, and additional complications.
Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one has had an IVC filter implanted, you should contact our law firm immediately. Our lawyers are evaluating every individual case regardless of whether you have been injured or not. So, if you have received an IVC filter implant, we would like to speak with you. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit against the manufacturer and our lawyers can help.
Table Of Contents
Overview
IVC filters (also known as vena cava filters or blood clot filters) are small, cage-like devices that are inserted into the inferior vena cava — a large vein that carries deoxygenated (blue) blood from the lower body to the heart — in patients who are unable to take anticoagulants in order to prevent blood clots from reaching the lungs. The devices were first introduced in 1979, and have been increasingly used ever since. By 2012, nearly 260,000 IVC filters were implanted in patients across the U.S.
What’s the Problem?
In August 2010, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning [1] regarding potential complications resulting from leaving retrievable IVC filters in patients indefinitely. FDA recommended that the devices be removed as soon as the blood clot risk subsides, typically between the 29th and 54th day after implantation. Unfortunately, this warning came too late for many IVC filter recipients.
Related Article: IVC Filter Lawsuit Update
IVC Filter Complications
- Fracture of the IVC filter
- Device Migration
- Insertion-site Thrombosis
- Perforation
- Internal Bleeding
- Cardiac or Pericardial Tamponade
- Ventricle Tachycardia
- Lower Limb Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- Hematoma or Nerve Injury at the Puncture Site
- Constant and Severe Pain in the Heart, Chest, or Elsewhere in the Body
- Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
- Respiratory Distress
- Infection
- Shortness of Breath
- Death
JAMA Study Highlights Blood Clot Filter Risk
In April 2013, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) [2] looked at the management and complications of blood clot filters in 952 patients. Approximately 680 of these patients were implanted with retrievable filters; however, doctors were only able to successfully remove 58 of them.
Doctors made 13 unsuccessful removal attempts, 11 of which occurred in patients who had their filters implanted for over 85 days. Of the 13 unsuccessful removal attempts:
- 8 patients were unable to have their IVC filters removed because they were embedded;
- 3 patients’ filters had punctured a blood vessel;
- 2 patients’ devices had migrated from the implant site, and
- 1 patient had a blood clot inside the vena cava filter.
B. Braun IVC Filter Models
IVC filters made by B. Braun include:
PRESERVE Study to Investigate IVC Filter Safety
In October 2015, the first large-scale study designed to evaluate the safety of IVC filters was initiated by researchers at the IVC Filter Study Group Foundation. The study, entitled Predicting the Safety and Effectiveness of Inferior Vena Cava Filters (PRESERVE) [3], will provide a real-world view of the safety and effectiveness of IVC filters placed in the U.S.
“The PRESERVE study will benefit patients by helping determine how well filters prevent pulmonary embolism and when retrievable filters should be removed,” said Peter Lawrence, M.D., foundation vice president.
IVC filters made by the following manufacturers will be evaluated for the study:
- ALN Implants Chirurgicaux (ALN IVC Filters)
- Argon Medical Devices, Inc. (Option Elite Retrievable IVC Filter designed and manufactured by Rex Medical)
- B. Braun Interventional Systems Inc. (VenaTech LP IVC Filter)
- Bard Peripheral Vascular, Inc. (DENALI IVC Filter System)
- Cook Incorporated (Cook Günther Tulip IVC Filter)
- Cordis Corporation (Cordis OptEase Retrievable Vena Cava Filter)
- Volcano Corporation (Crux Vena Cava Filter System)
See all related medical device litigations we’ve covered.
FAQs
What are the potential complications associated with defective IVC filters?
Complications include filter migration, vena cava perforation, filter fracture, embolization of filter fragments, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and organ damage.
What should I do if I suspect my B. Braun IVC filter is causing complications?
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or leg swelling. Contact your healthcare provider for an evaluation and imaging studies to assess the filter.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit for injuries caused by a B. Braun IVC filter?
The statute of limitations varies by state but typically ranges from one to three years from the date of injury or discovery of the injury. Consult with an attorney to ensure timely filing.
Do I Have a B. Braun IVC Filter Lawsuit?
The Medical Device Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in B. Braun IVC filter lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new complication cases in all 50 states.
Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one has had a B. Braun IVC filter implanted, you should contact our law firm immediately. Our lawyers are evaluating every individual case regardless of whether you have been injured or not. So, if you have received a B. Braun IVC filter implant, we would like to speak with you. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit against the manufacturer and our lawyers can help.
References:
- http://www.fda.gov/medicaldevices/safety/alertsandnotices/ucm221676.htm
- http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1669107
- https://misuse.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/error/abuse.shtml
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