Lawsuits over IVC filters that have caused life-threatening injuries have numbered more than 1,500; Cordis IVC filters have been the target of one-in-ten of these lawsuits.
Cordis Corporation manufactures OptEase and TrapEase IVC filters. Plaintiffs allege that these Cordis IVC filters have fractured, migrated, and/or tilted while implanted, causing life-threatening injuries and usually requiring emergency removal.
According to a 2011 Japanese study, Cordis IVC filters were found to have a fractured strut in nearly half the patients studied.
Additionally, Cordis IVC filters were recalled in 2011 for a labeling error. According to the recall, the error could potentially lead to the IVC filter being implanted backwards causing it to subsequently migrate to the heart.
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VC filters are meant to prevent blood clots from reaching a patient’s lungs. Cordis IVC filters and others have been used to treat more than 30,000 patients since they were introduced.
Patients who cannot take blood thinning medicine are sometimes implanted with IVC filters to avoid the risk of DVT or pulmonary embolism.. Pulmonary embolism is the third most common cause of death in hospitals.
IVC filters are used after spinal cord injuries, cancer treatment, gunshot injuries, child birth, surgery, car accidents, and in a number of other medical situations.
Patients with IVC filters have reported problems, however, and more than 1,500 lawsuits have been filed over IVC filters. The larger IVC filter manufacturers have been under scrutiny, but it is important to note that many smaller manufacturers produce IVC filters as well.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, IVC filters are meant to be temporary and should be removed within 54 days of implantation; however, IVC filters have been left in longer than recommended and patients have suffered complications, including;
- Filter fracture
- Organ damage (heart, lungs, kidneys, etc.)
- Perforation of the vena cava
- Embolization of broken components
- Migration and tilt
- Internal bleeding
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- Filter getting clogged with blood clots
- Filter or broken pieces can’t be removed
The FDA issued a warning about IVC filters in 2010 in response to hundreds of complaints.. IVC filters still lead to problems in many patients, however, and cause them to suffer injuries, additional medical expenses, and needless pain and suffering. The makers of the Cordis IVC filter and other filters allegedly failed to warn patients and their doctors about the risks of using the device.
Those with an IVC filter have reported chest pain and shortness of breath. Anyone with an IVC filter experiencing these problems should contact their doctor immediately. IVC filters have been linked to filter migration, punctured organs, and even death.
If you or a loved one have been injured by a Cordis IVC filter, an experienced attorney can help you determine if you should file a lawsuit against the Cordis Corporation to obtain compensation. The attorneys at McDonald Worley will provide you with a free case evaluation.