A recent study has found that retrievable inferior vena cava (IVC) filters, meant for temporary use to treat pulmonary embolism, are frequently left in patients long after they have served their purpose.
June 20, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- A pulmonary embolism can occur when a blockage forms in the one or both arteries of the lung. It is usually caused when a blood clot travels from another part of the body. Many times the clot originates in the legs.
A recent study has found that retrievable inferior vena cava (IVC) filters, meant for temporary use to treat pulmonary embolism, are frequently left in patients long after they have served their purpose. Unfortunately, the Food and Drug Administration has identified that these
devices may cause "adverse events" when used long-term, compromising patient health and leading to injury.
IVC Filter Study
The study, which was presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology, found that only 10 percent of retrievable IVC filters are removed from patients at one of the nation's busiest level one trauma centers. The data came from 952 IVC filter patients treated at the Boston Medical Center between 2003 and 2011. Of these patients, 273 had a permanent filter and 679 had a retrievable filter. Retrievable IVC filters were used in the majority of patients after the devices became available in 2006.
Researchers found that doctors never attempted to remove the IVC filter in 89 percent of the 679 patients with retrievable IVC filters once the danger of clotting was resolved. While removal was attempted in the remaining 71 patients, only nine percent of removals were successful. The other attempts often ended after the filter embedded in the patient, moved or poked through a blood vessel.
One of the main reasons why
retrievable IVC filters are left in a majority of patients is lack of follow-up according to the findings in the study. IVC filters are generally put in place by surgeons who never see the patient again. Instead, patients have follow-up visits with primary care doctors or specialists who fail to inquire about the IVC filters.
IVC Filter Medical Risks
In 2010, the
FDA issued an alert to patients and the medical community regarding adverse effects from retrievable IVC filters left in patients long-term. The agency warned about complications similar to those researchers noted in the Boston Medical Center patients.
Common complications include movement of the device in the body of a patient, detachment of the device from the rest of the filter system, perforation of blood vessels or veins and filter fracture.
These complications may even cause deep vein thrombosis in the lower leg. Deep vein thrombosis is clotting in the veins that are farthest from the skin. IVC filters are used in patients with pulmonary embolism, which is a blockage of arteries in the lung due to a clot that has moved from other parts of the body to the lung. Patients with IVC filters are already at risk of clots and action should not be taken to increase their risk of future clots.
Now, a medical device manufacturer has developed a new approach. The Angel Catheter combines and IVC filter with a central venous catheter. It has been approved in the European Union, but is still considered an investigative device by the FDA. The IVC filter can easily be removed when the central line is taken out.
Until the new approach is routinely used people will continue to suffer injury when IVC filters are left in place. If complications develop after an operation when a retrievable IVC filter was left in your body, an experienced personal injury attorney can discuss available options and help you seek fair compensation for the injury.
Article provided by Law Offices of Corey Leifer, P.A.
Visit us at
www.leiferlaw.com/
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