IVC filters are small, cage like devices that are inserted into the inferior vena cava to capture blood clots and prevent them from reaching the lungs. The inferior vena cava is the main vessel returning blood to the lower half of the body to the heart. IVC filters are frequently placed in patients at risk for pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs) when anti-coagulant therapy cannot be used or is ineffective. Originally, IVC filters were designed to be permanent implants, although in recent years there have been an increase in IVC filters that are meant to be removed.
NGK Law and its IVC Filter Lawsuit attorneys have reviewed medical documentation regarding a surprising number of failures of these IVC filters. In particular, the IVC Filter Attorneys at NGK Law are aware of several startling studies regarding the Bard G2 filter and its predecessor, the Bard Recovery IVC Filter. In a study analyzing these IVC filters, it became apparent there may be grounds for IVC Filter lawsuits. The study found that the Bard Recovery IVC Filter and the Bard G2 IVC Filter were associated with high prevalence of fracture and embolization, with potentially life threatening injuries. In particular the study cited that 6 of the 52 Bard G2 filters fractured (a 12% failure rate). In two of those IVC failures, the patients had end-stage organ fragment embolization.[1] In another study from 2004 to 2010 with patients that had the Bard Recovery IVC filter, the Bard G2 IVC filter and the Bard G2 Express Filters, overall fracture rate of 12% was reported (63 out of 548 patients).[2]
One of the biggest problems with the Bard IVC Filters and the grounds for the Bard IVC Filter lawsuits, is the serious and potentially deadly complications that can result when the IVC filters break. The Bard IVC Filter Lawsuits allege that when the metal arms of the IVC filters break off, these metal fragments can travel to other organs, such as the heart or lungs, and cause catastrophic injuries. In particular, the Bard IVC Filter lawsuit attorneys at NGK Law allege that these metal fragments can cause damage leading to serious internal bleeding resulting from the IVC filter fragments cutting the organs. This can lead to catastrophic injuries, hospitalization, and death.
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a Bard IVC filter, you may be a candidate for a Bard IVC Filter Lawsuit. Contact the Bard IVC filter lawsuit attorneys at NGK Law at (314) 350-1900 or fill out our online contact form to discuss whether you have grounds for an IVC filter lawsuit.
[1] W. Nicholson, W. J. Nicholson, P. Tolerico, et al. “Prevalence of fracture and fragment embolization of Bard retrievable vena cava filters and clinical implications including cardiac perforation and tamponade,” Archives of Internal Medicine, Vol. 170, No. 20, pp. 1827-1831, 2010.
[2] K. Vijay, J. A. Hughes, A. S. Burdette, et al. “Fractured Bard recovery, G2 and G2 express inferior vena cava filters: incidents, clinical consequences, and outcomes of removal attempts,” Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Vol. 23, No. 2, pp. 188-194, 2012.