Another defective medical device, IVC Filters. IVC Filters are usually inserted for a temporary medical need, but follow up to remove them has been largely lacking. Failure to remove an IVC filter can lead to a variety of complications leading to injury.
If you have had an Inferior Vena Cava filter inserted and have suffered an injury from that we may be able to help you. Compensation for your medical expenses, and other damages may be available. If you have suffered after insertion of an IVC filter, please call us for a free assessment.
Inferior Vena Cava filters are inserted in the large vein that runs up to your heart to prevent a blood clot from moving up from your lower body and causing serious damage to you in your heart or lungs. If your health condition shows that you have already had a deep vein thrombosis, or a pulmonary embolism your doctor may recommend the insertion of this tiny metal device in your vein to catch another blood clot from moving up into your heart or lungs
Also, even if you have not had a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or a pulmonary embolism (PE) your doctor may recommend the insertion of this medical device if your current health condition poses a significant risk of developing either of these, and at the same time you are also unable to benefit from anticoagulation drug therapy.
Although IVC filters are rarely used in European medical practice, the incidence of their use in American medical practice has skyrocketed over the past 40 years. In recent years there have been about 50,000 Inferior Vena Cava filters inserted each year in the USA. Many of these have been inserted without a clinical incidence of DVT or PE, but rather as a prophylactic measure.
Virtually all of the IVC filters that have been surgically inserted in recent years are designed as a temporary device, and are medically called for to cover a relatively short period of time (to prevent clot migration only for the period of time when anticoagulation therapy is not advised) and then be removed. However, unfortunately after insertion most if the IVC filters are not removed and become permanent. The longer period of time where the device remains in the patient raises the possibility of medical complications post insertion, which have occurred more frequently with the vast increase of incidence of insertion (50,000 patients per year).
To break it down, the IVC medical device gets inserted not only when clearly indicated by the incidence of PE or DVT, but also as a prophylactic for the risk of DVT or PE. Once prophylactic use gained acceptance at the level of one of the major profession medical societies then the number of surgical procedures to insert the device went up tremendously.
Even though the device is designed to be temporary, and the medical plan calls for it to be temporary, the surgeon and his team, and the device manufacturer and their team are not calling you to come back and remove it, so it stays.
Complications from IVC filters include penetration of the inferior vena cava and or organ damage from penetration of adjacent structures, including aorta, duodenum, spine, colon, or kidney. The risk of penetration increases the longer the device remains in the vein.
Hundreds of lawsuits are being filed against the manufacturers of certain IVC filters. If you have experienced complications after insertion of an IVC filter talking with an attorney can help you sort out your options for taking legal action and obtaining compensation. If this has happened to you call us for an IVC Filter case review..
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