Failures, Injuries Trigger Over 200 AngioDynamics Port Lawsuits
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Patients and their families have filed more than 200 AngioDynamics port catheter lawsuits claiming the company’s devices are defective and have caused serious injuries. These cases are being handled together in a federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) to streamline the legal process. Lawyers anticipate that more injured patients will come forward and the number of lawsuits will continue to grow.
Port catheters are commonly used for patients undergoing chemotherapy to access their veins easily and safely. However, the FDA has received hundreds of reports of problems with AngioDynamics devices. Since 2020, nearly 300 AngioDynamics port catheter failures have been reported to the FDA, highlighting serious issues, including device fractures and infections.
MUADE Reports of Select AngioDynamic Port Injuries Since 2020
- Foreign body discovered (43 reported)
- Infection (42 reported)
- Port component embedded in tissue (26 reported)
- Pulmonary embolism (11 reported)
AngioDynamics port lawsuits claim that excessive barium sulfate used in manufacturing has caused the catheters to break down or fragment inside patients, leading to severe complications like blood clots, infections and the need for surgery. A similar device by another manufacturer has resulted in more than 2,000 Bard PowerPort lawsuits.
FDA Reports, Medical Studies Document Serious Injuries
In a 2021 report that AngioDynamics submitted to the FDA, a patient stated that the catheter broke off from the SmartPort soon after placement. The patient claimed a piece of the device traveled inside their body and could not be entirely removed, so part of it remains in place. The patient required surgery to retrieve the broken piece and insert a new port.
AngioDynamics told the FDA that it could not confirm the problem because the broken device had not been returned for testing. The company claimed that its review revealed that the product met quality standards with no defects identified. It also stated that the instructions warn that problems such as breakage, blockages or “pinch-off” can occur if the catheter is placed incorrectly or misused, which may lead to device failure.
Research indicates that complications, while not universal, are not uncommon. A 2022 study in Cureus looked at over 800 port catheters, including AngioDynamic ports. The report found that more than 10% of patients experienced problems, including blood clots, infections and mechanical failures. Notably, more than 70% of these issues occurred more than a month after implantation.
More AngioDynamic Port Lawsuits Expected
As the federal MDL progresses in California, attorneys anticipate a continued and substantial increase in case filings. In addition to claims of personal harm, plaintiffs are seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term health complications.
The outcome of this coordinated litigation is expected to have significant implications for patients, healthcare providers and the broader medical device industry.