Are Bard IVC Filters Worth The Potential Risks?

Pulmonary embolism, a condition in which blood clots enter the lungs, can be extremely dangerous and often fatal. When patients aren’t able to take blood thinners to control the problem, doctors often turn to inferior vena cava (IVC) filters. Inserted into the inferior vena cava, the apparatus is designed to stop clots from causing potentially life-threatening problems. One of the filters that doctors trusted the most was the Bard IVC Recovery filter. Unfortunately, the filters come with serious, and potentially fatal side effects, which many victims have sued the company for.

Potential Side Effects You Could Experience From the Bard IVC Filter

Before you allow a doctor to use an IVC filter, it is important to learn about the side effects you could experience. The following are a few possible side effects:

• Filter movement – If the filter moves it can result in the filter dangerously traveling to another part of the body.
• Infection – Infection can occur at the implant site and may eventually spread throughout the body.
• Filter fractures – If any of the pieces of the filter break off it can end up piercing vital organs.
• Blood clots can clog the filters – Blood clots can actually push the filters into other parts of the body, like the heart.
• Air bubbles – The filter can cause air bubbles, which can enter a vein or artery and block it.
• Pressure on the heart – This is caused by a build-up of blood or fluid around the filter.
• Slow moving blood – Blood may move slower than normal when going through the vena cava.
• Removal complications – Complications may occur when removing the filter from the body.
• Narrowing of the vena cava – Using an IVC filter may cause the vena cava to narrow, leading to other complications.

Have You Suffered From IVC Filter Complications?

C.R. Bard is under scrutiny for many of its IVC filters and is being taken to court by hundreds of patients who have experienced complications after using one of its filters.