Endovascular Today published an article in July 2014 in which three doctors well-versed in dealing with inferior vena cava (IVC) filters were interviewed for their opinions on indications, patient follow-up & retrieval rates and the prophylactic use of the devices. The three interviewees were:
• Dr. William T. Kuo, MD, FSIR, FCCP FCIRSE; Director, Interventional
Summary: Inferior Vena Cava Filters in the United States: Less is More
In an article published in the International Journal of Cardiology in 2014, Drs. Mohamad Alkhouli and Riyaz Bashir question the efficacy of the inferior vena cava (IVC) filter as a device for routine use and raise cautions about the apparent lack of retrieval of these temporary filters, particularly in U.S. patients. There is little doubt
2012 – 50% of IVC Filters Fail
In 2012 the Journal of the American Medical Association published an article titled “Frequent Fracture of TrapEase Inferior Vena Cava Filters,” providing further insight into one serious side effect related to the use of IVC filters. Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are small metal filters placed within the vena cava vein used to
IVC Filters: 86% Exhibit Serious Side Effects
In 2012, a team of researchers from the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging at the University of California, San Francisco published an article that illustrated some serious risks associated with the use of IVC filters.
Inferior vena cava filters are small metal filters inserted into the inferior vena cava vein, used in patients
2014 – FDA Recalls DePuy Craniomaxillofacial Distraction System, Cites Fatal Risk
Recently, a craniofacial distraction implant by DePuy Orthopaedics was recalled. This device, called the Craniomaxillofacial (CMF) Distraction System, “is a modular family of internal distraction devices that are used to gradually lengthen the mandible body and ramus” and indicated as “a bone stabilizer and lengthening (and/or transport) device for correction of congenital deficiencies
2011 – 32% of Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement Patients Endure Pseudotumors
A 2011 article by D.H. Williams et al. published in that year’s December edition of Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (US) titled “Prevalence of pseudotumor in asymptomatic patients after metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty.” sheds further important insight into the tendency for metal-on-metal hip replacements to release dangerous metal ions into the bloodstream.
2012 – 40% of metal-on-metal hip replacement patients face adverse reaction to metal debris
A 2012 article by I.A. Malek et al. published in Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery titled “The sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of raised plasma metal ion levels in the diagnosis of adverse reaction to metal debris in symptomatic patients with a metal-on-metal arthroplasty of the hip.” helps demonstrate the rate at
FDA Proposes Change of Vaginal Mesh Classification
According to the Federal Register (05/01/2014), “the Daily Journal of the United States Government,” the United States Food and Drug Administration has recently called to reclassify transvaginal mesh in the repair of pelvic organ prolapse, an ailment that affects about 50% of women, even if only to a small extent.
The Register states that
Investigation Launched into Whether Johnson & Johnson Obstructed Justice and Tampered with Evidence by Deliberately Destroying Records
Johnson & Johnson (J&J) executives are currently under the microscope as to whether or not they engaged in criminal activity when they “lost” documents critical to lawsuits filed against them.
As we noted in previous posts, on February 4th, a federal magistrate judge ruled that Ethicon, a subsidiary of J&J, destroyed or lost documents that
2014 – 35% of patients suffer complications with robotic-assisted surgery
In January 2014, the results of a study by D. Ramzy et al. titled “Three hundred robotic-assisted mitral valve repairs: the Cedars-Sinai experience.” in Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery that evaluated the relative safety and efficacy of robotic-assisted surgery for the repair of the heart’s mitral valve.
The surgeries evaluated in this