Cardiac Catheter Class Action Lawsuit

Recall Details and Affected Products

The primary product liability litigation involves:

• Bard PowerPort – implantable port catheters made of polyurethane that are allegedly defectively designed, causing catheter fracture, migration, and severe injuries including infections, blood clots, cardiac punctures, thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, cardiac perforation, sepsis, and death.

Over 2,000 Bard PowerPort cases have been consolidated into federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona as of late 2025. Bellwether trials are expected to begin in 2026. Plaintiffs allege that C.R. Bard and Becton Dickinson & Company knew of the risks but failed to warn patients and physicians. Additional lawsuits have been filed in state courts.

Other cardiac catheter concerns include the Abbott Amplatzer Steerable Delivery Sheath, which was subject to a Class I recall due to risks of stroke or death.

Health Risks

• Catheter fracture or breakage.
• Device migration (catheter moving from original position).
• Infection at the catheter site or bloodstream infection (sepsis).
• Thrombosis (blood clots).
• Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs).
• Cardiac perforation or puncture.
• Vascular injury or puncture during catheter insertion.
• Uncontrolled bleeding or hemorrhage.
• Hematoma (blood clot) formation.
• Death from complications.

Symptoms of a Problem

• Severe pain at the catheter insertion site.
• Swelling, redness, or signs of infection.
• Low blood pressure (hypotension).
• Difficulty breathing or chest pain.
• Signs of catheter migration visible on imaging.
• Unusual bleeding or bruising at the groin, arm, or neck.
• Fever or chills indicating infection.
• Symptoms of blood clots (leg pain, swelling, warmth).

What Consumers Should Do

1. Determine if you have a Bard PowerPort implanted by checking your medical records.
2. Monitor for signs of catheter complications including pain, infection, or migration.
3. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience symptoms.
4. Keep all medical records, surgical notes, and imaging showing catheter placement and complications.
5. Document any additional surgeries or treatments needed due to catheter problems.
6. If you experienced complications during a cardiac catheterization procedure (such as vascular puncture or bleeding), preserve all emergency room and hospital records.
7. Note whether you had a femoral access catheterization (through the groin) or radial access (through the wrist).
8. Report device problems to the FDA through MedWatch if involving the Bard PowerPort.

Potential for a Cardiac Catheter Class Action Lawsuit

Patients who experienced cardiac catheter complications may join litigation. Claims could include:

• Product Liability (Bard PowerPort): The polyurethane devices were defectively designed, causing fractures and migration; manufacturers knew of risks but failed to warn patients and physicians.
• Medical Malpractice: Healthcare providers performed catheterization procedures negligently, such as using femoral access when radial access was safer, inserting catheters too far causing heart rupture, puncturing blood vessels causing fatal hemorrhage, or failing to recognize and treat complications promptly.
• Failure to obtain informed consent about catheterization risks and alternative approaches.
• Failing to use appropriate compression or closure devices after femoral catheterization.
• Not recognizing risks in high-risk patients (such as obesity) that make femoral access more dangerous.

You could get compensation for medical expenses, additional surgeries, emergency treatment, hospitalization, blood transfusions, pain and suffering, permanent injuries, lost wages, and wrongful death damages. Medical malpractice verdicts have ranged from $1.5 million to $4.3 million in catheterization cases. Bard PowerPort settlement amounts will be determined by bellwether trial outcomes in 2026.

Do I Have a Cardiac Catheter Class Action Lawsuit?

Our law firm handles product liability and medical malpractice cases nationwide. We are taking new cases about cardiac catheters.

Free Case Review: If you have a Bard PowerPort and experienced catheter fracture, migration, infection, blood clots, or other serious complications, or if you experienced injuries during a cardiac catheterization procedure due to medical negligence, contact us today. You may get compensation through a Cardiac Catheter Class Action Lawsuit.

References

1. https://malpracticecases.millerandzois.com/negligent-cardiac-catheterization-lawsuit.html
2. https://palmerinjurylaw.com/blog/jury-awards-family-4-3m-after-catheterization-procedure-fails/
3. https://www.mdmalpracticeattorney.com/articles/botched-catheterization-procedure-leads-to-1-5-million-verdict/