This case involves a 56-year-old male patient at risk for pulmonary embolism who was unable to undergo anticoagulation therapy. The patient had an IVC filter implant placed. The patient complained of persistent pain for weeks following the surgery but was told this was normal and not a cause for concern. Within months, the filter migrated and perforated the patient’s vena cava wall. He eventually passed away from complications related to the implant. It was alleged that the implant should have been removed
Question(s) For Expert Witness
1. Do you routinely treat patients like the one described above?
2. Are you familiar with the FDA guidelines for timing of the removal of such a filter?
Expert Witness Response E-010104
I have treated patients who have developed the complications described above. I routinely perform IVC filter placements and perform complex retrievals and I am familiar with the FDA guidelines. Our group is one of the national leaders in complex filter retrievals. We established one of the first filter clinics in the country. We see hundreds of CT scans of the abdomen each year with filter struts perforating the inferior vena cava. Perforations of the caval wall are fairly common. Most are of no consequence, but some require intervention. I would need more details on the case, including the degree of migration and perforation.
About the author
Wendy Ketner, M.D.
Dr. Wendy Ketner is a distinguished medical professional with a comprehensive background in surgery and medical research. Currently serving as the Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs at the Expert Institute, she plays a pivotal role in overseeing the organization's most important client relationships. Dr. Ketner's extensive surgical training was completed at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, where she gained hands-on experience in various general surgery procedures, including hernia repairs, cholecystectomies, appendectomies, mastectomies for breast cancer, breast reconstruction, surgical oncology, vascular surgery, and colorectal surgery. She also provided care in the surgical intensive care unit.
Her research interests have focused on post-mastectomy reconstruction and the surgical treatment of gastric cancer, including co-authoring a textbook chapter on the subject. Additionally, she has contributed to research on the percutaneous delivery of stem cells following myocardial infarction.
Dr. Ketner's educational background includes a Bachelor's degree from Yale University in Latin American Studies and a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. Moreover, she is a member of the Board of Advisors for Opollo Technologies, a fintech healthcare AI company, contributing her medical expertise to enhance healthcare technology solutions. Her role at Expert Institute involves leveraging her medical knowledge to provide insights into legal cases, underscoring her unique blend of medical and legal acumen.
