IVC Filter Lawyers: Lawsuits for IVC Filter Fracture and Migration

Austin Kirk

By Austin Kirk
Posted August 20, 2010

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The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk are now investigating potential Bard Recovery IVC filter lawsuits and Bard G2 IVC filter lawsuits for individuals who have experienced a fracture or migration of an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter that was implanted to prevent a pulmonary embolism.

>>LEARN MORE: Steps in Investigation of an IVC Filter Lawsuit

UPDATE: Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. is also reviewing potential Cook IVC filter lawsuits, for individuals who received the Cook Celect or Gunther Tulip systems.

Bard IVC filters are small medical devices that are implanted via catheter into the inferior vena cava when an individual is at a high risk for a pulmonary embolism. The IVC filters look like spiders, with two levels of six arms and legs that extend out to catch any embolizing blood clot. These struts have been found to be prone to fracture with the Bard Recovery Filter and Bard G2 Filter, which could allow pieces to migrate to the heart or lungs and cause serious injury or death.

On August 9, 2010, the FDA issued a warning about the risk of problems with IVC filters when the retrievable devices are left in place after the risk of a pulmonary embolism has passed, writing:

Since 2005, the FDA has received 921 device adverse event reports involving IVC filters, of which 328 involved device migration, 146 involved embolizations (detachment of device components), 70 involved perforation of the IVC, and 56 involved filter fracture. Some of these events led to adverse clinical outcomes in patients. These types of events may be related to a retrievable filter remaining in the body for long periods of time, beyond the time when the risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) has subsided. 

The FDA is concerned that these retrievable IVC filters, intended for short-term placement, are not always removed once a patient’s risk for PE subsides. Known long term risks associated with IVC filters include but are not limited to lower limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT), filter fracture, filter migration, filter embolization and IVC perforation.

Last week, a new study was also published in the Archives of Internal Medicine that highlighted the particularly high failure rate with the Bard Recovery filter and Bard G2 filter.

The Bard Recovery IVC filter, which was first introduced in 2002 and then discontinued in 2005, was found to have a failure rate of 25%, with a number of those Bard Recovery fractures resulting in a piece of the filter traveling to the patient’s heart.

The Bard G2 IVC filter, which was introduced in 2005 as a successor to the Recovery Filter system, was also found to have a high fracture rate. Although the G2 IVC filter was marketed as having “enhanced fracture resistance”, researchers found that about 12% of the cases examined resulted in a fracture of the Bard G2 filter, with pieces breaking off and traveling through the body in several of the cases.

BARD IVC FILTER ATTORNEYS

Potential Bard IVC filter lawsuits are being reviewed for individuals who have received a Bard inferior vena cava filter since 2003, who suspect that they may have experienced problems as a result of a fracture. Early symptoms of Bard IVC filter problems often mimic a heart attack, with unexplained chest pain and shortness of breath. If the Bard IVC filter fractures and migrates, it could result in

  • Puncturing of internal organs
  • Increased heart rate (ventricular tachycardia)
  • Hemorrhaging around the heart (hemorrhagic pericardial effusion)
  • Heart rhythm disruption (cardiac tamponade)
  • Puncturing of veins and arteries

C.R. Bard, the manufacturer of the Recovery and G2 IVC filters, failed to adequately warn consumers or disclose the extent of the risk of serious and potentially fatal injury if the IVC filter is left in place.

To review a potential lawsuit with our Bard IVC filter lawyers or to find out if you, a friend or family member may qualify for compensation, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

1 Comment • Add Your Comments

  • coretta says:

    I have a ivc filter for over 10 years and I been get blood cloths and my chest been hurting for years and i just got out the hospital 3-5 2014 and been going over the last five years they can’t find nothing but when I read about the side effects I am having I’m having all the above

    Posted on March 7, 2014 at 12:39 pm

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