As patients, we generally trust that when our doctors insert medical devices, they will be both safe and effective to treat our health condition. Yet when faulty or dangerous medical devices are put on the market, patients cannot protect themselves when they are not fully informed of the risks of these products.

Thousands of patients with IVC (inferior vena cava) filters have suffered serious injury and even death because some types of IVC filters have high rates of failure. While IVC filters have the potential to save lives by preventing the migration of blood clots from the lower extremities to the heart and lungs, retrievable IVC filters may break or move within the blood vessels, causing injuries such as:

Punctured organs, including the heart, lungs, and pancreas;
Persistent chest pain or shortness or breath;
Filter migration to different parts of the body; and
Death.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received over 1,000 reports of injury from retrievable IVC filters, and has issued numerous warnings about their use. Despite this, these filters are still being marketed and sold as a safe, effective product.

Three manufacturers, C.R. Bard, Cook Medical, and Boston Scientific, have been linked to the IVC filters that have caused these injuries to consumers. Even though C.R. Bard knew two of its filters had a high risk of failure, it continued to sell these filters for years after learning of these problems..

Although over 5,000 lawsuits are pending against these companies, we know that lawsuits alone are not enough. These companies are still selling retrievable IVC filters, and the FDA has not required more stringent testing or changes to the design to make them safer.

It is time for us to speak up! Add your name to the petition to demand that C.R. Bard stop manufacturing this dangerous product immediately. With public pressure, we can make a difference. Sign the petition today to say No More Failed Filters!