New York Defective IVC Filters Attorney
An inferior vena cava (IVC) filter is a medical device that is placed in a blood vessel to trap blood clots and prevent them from travelling to the heart or lungs. They are used in cases where anticoagulant drugs are not appropriate. A defective IVC filter can fail, causing serious injuries or death. If you have been harmed by an IVC filter, or lost a loved one to IVC filter injury, the defective medical device attorneys of Panzavecchia & Associates, PLLC can help you and your family recover the compensation you need and deserve.
We have law offices in Manhattan, Queens, Long Island and Florida and our attorneys represent victims of defective IVC filters nationwide. Please call us today for a free consultation.
IVC Filter Dangers
Complications and injuries that can be caused by defective IVC filters include:
- Device migration
- Blood clot pushing the filter into the heart or lungs
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Tilting of the device
- Device fracture
- Pieces of the device breaking off and travelling to the heart or lungs
- Perforation of the blood vessel in which the device was placed
- Perforation of internal organs
- Occlusion of the IVC
- Complications of surgery to remove IVC filter
Surgery to remove a defective IVC filter is dangerous and requires exceptional skill. It can result in pieces of the device breaking off and travelling to the heart.
IVC Filter Uses
Retrievable IVC filters are used in patients who cannot safely take anticoagulant drugs when there is a temporary risk of DVT or pulmonary embolism (PE) due to events or conditions including:
- Pregnancy
- Kidney dialysis
- Cancer treatment
- Emergency surgery
- Elective surgery
- Accidental injuries
They are used in people who cannot take anticoagulant drugs for various reasons including:
- Drug allergy
- Severely low platelet count
- Recent stroke
- Intracranial bleeding
- Severe active bleeding
- Malignant hypertension
- Recent major surgery
- Spinal cord surgery
- Eye surgery
- Pregnancy
- Anticoagulant drugs have not been effective
Symptoms of IVC Filter Migration
IVC filter migration is a medical emergency. The entire filter can migrate, or it can fracture and pieces can migrate to the heart. Symptoms include:
- Low blood pressure
- Rapid heart rate
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Labored breathing
- Neck pain
- Chest pain
- Excessive sweating
- Nausea
- Lightheadedness
- Confusion
- Lethargy
If you have been harmed by a defective IVC filter, or if you have lost a loved one to IVC filter injury, you may be able to recover substantial compensation, but you have a limited amount of time to take legal action. Please, do not wait until it is too late. Call the New York defective medical device attorneys of Panzavecchia & Associates, PLLC at 888-LAW-2204 today or complete an online contact form.