Why Are IVC Filters Breaking?

An Inferior Vena Cava Filter, or IVC Filter for short, is used to stop blood clots from traveling up to your heart. The metal filter is inserted through a vein in either the neck or groin and is placed in the inferior vena cava vein, which is located in the abdomen.

Why are IVC Filters used?

The IVC Filter was designed to help those involved in accidents and surgeries capture and prevent blood clots that have broken away from veins from reaching your lungs. Blood clots in the lungs, also known as a pulmonary embolism, can be life-threatening so the IVC filter is put in place to prevent this.

Why are IVC filters breaking?

There are many studies and reports of IVC filters causing complications and major injuries because of perforation to the IVC and migration or breakage of the filter. This is common in the Bard and Cook brands of IVC filters. With minimal testing, these brands were able to produce and sell filters under the FDA 510(k) fast track approval process. Due to the use of different materials and less testing, these IVC filters have been linked to life-threatening injuries.

What happens when IVC filters break or migrate?

Patients with a IVC filter that has either broke or migrated could feel severe chest pain and shortness of breath, which will result in the need for emergency medical treatment.

Have you suffered injuries from an IVC filter?

If you’ve suffered from filter migration or breakage that has caused injuries, you may be entitled to financial compensation. For a free case evaluation regarding your IVC filter injuries, simply click the button below.