Retrievable IVC filters should be removed as soon as the danger of developing blood clots passes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends removing them between 29 and 54 days after insertion, in patients who are no longer at high risk. But, most retrievable filters are not removed. The likelihood of failure increases with time, and the longer they are in place, the more difficult it becomes to remove them. Some cannot be successfully removed. Some patients die from complications of the difficult removal procedure.
Retrieval Failure
A study published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions found that, after the IVC filters were left in place for seven months, the failure rate for retrieval procedures was over 40%. Patients who have had an IVC filter for more than seven months should strongly consider seeking referral to a center that is capable of using advanced retrieval techniques which are more likely to be successful.
When interviewed, study’s lead author, Kush R. Desai, MD, said that some patients don’t even know they have an IVC filter because they were never told or don’t remember being told. IVC filters are often placed in patients who have been in motor vehicle accidents.
Very Low Retrieval Rate
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine looked at medical records for 952 patients. About half of those patients were trauma victims. Out of the 679 retrievable IVC filters that were placed, only 8.5% were successfully removed. Removal was attempted in about 10% of patients, but 18.3% of retrieval attempts failed.
If you have been harmed by an IVC filter, please talk to an experienced defective medical device attorney right away to learn more about your rights and potential compensation.
Leave a Reply