Patients with deep vein thrombosis are often pushed to feel as though an IVC filter is the life-saving solution to their predicament. For many people, it is. However, IVC filters are meant to be temporary. An IVC filter is not a lifelong medical device implant, and the complications they come with can be just as life-threatening as DVT. But the leading board for certification and recertification, the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, suggests that IVC filters should only be used when alternatives aren’t suitable for the patient.
The ACCP urges medical professionals to opt for blood thinners and alternatives before considering an IVC filter implant. However, over 100,000 patients in the United States receive an IVC filter each year. So what happens when your IVC filter becomes infected? One of the primary reasons why top authorities urge medical professionals to consider alternative options to an IVC filter is because they’re typically not removed as planned. Instead, the IVC filter stays in place and gets infected. If this happens to you, you should contact our experienced mass tort attorneys right away.
Common Problems with IVC Filters
The most common problem with IVC filters is IVC filter migration. This type of complication occurs because the filter moves throughout the bloodstream. IVC filter migration can be deadly. Migration is considered a serious problem if the device moves by even two centimeters.
Other problems include failure to open where the device does not open completely and is ineffective. The device can also a fracture and send shards of the material through the bloodstream. Finally, there’s the chance that the IVC filter can perforate the vein. Typically sell preparation only happens when the filter has been in place for over a year. This happens because the filter fits heat under repetitive stress.
Signs of an IVC Filter Infection
The signs of IVC filter infection often happen within a very short time-frame from the surgery. IVC filter infection almost happened exclusively at the insertion site and comes with the normal warning signs of an infection.
As a patient, you might notice problems with healing at the insertion site, or even leakage. Leakage and pus should not be swept aside because these are very serious warning signs of an infection. Additionally, the patient may experience a fever and lethargy. Typically doctors are on the lookout for infection at the insertion site for a week or so after the surgery. However, your body takes longer than that to heal, and infection can happen in the few weeks that follow surgery.
Communicating Your Needs with Your Medical Team
In 2013 the FDA, along with Dr. Jose Pablo Morales, published data that supported removing IVC filters shortly after implantation. The FDA determined through a quantitative decision analysis that after about 54 days, the risk of having an IVC filter outweighs the risk effacing deep vein thrombosis. Before the 60-day mark, there are clear benefits in having an IVC filter, however after that 54 or rounded out to 60 days. The IVC filter becomes a bigger risk than the benefits it provides.
Most doctors don’t want to hear that the patient wants an implant removed. Not only do they not want to conduct another surgery, but often there is the fear that DVT will recur. As a patient, it’s difficult to stand up to doctors who have extensive education but don’t always listen very well. If you know that your doctor is having trouble listening to you, or is outright not hearing you when you’re communicating your IVC complications, bring someone with you. If that doesn’t help, then seek the opinion of another doctor.
Discuss Legal Resolution with a Personal Injury Lawyer
With Rueb Stoller Daniel of San Diego, you can seek out your options for a full resolution. The fact of the matter here is that the complications experienced with hernia mesh were completely avoidable and unnecessary. It’s likely that hernia mesh but wasn’t your only option for treatment, and that the hernia mesh manufacturer was significantly responsible for the complications experienced after implantation.
To learn more about what actions you have to take against the IVC filter manufacturer, contact our law offices. We help residents all throughout San Diego understand what possible recourse they could take as part of their recovery. Certainly, your issue with deep vein thrombosis needed medical intervention. However, that medical intervention shouldn’t cause more problems for you and your family. Seek out compensation to make a complete recovery for all the damages and pain you’ve experienced as a result of bad manufacturing.
