Overuse of medicated stents leads to increased risk
Recently serious questions have been raised about the safety of medicated stents, which are widely used during angioplasty proceedures following heart attacks. Cardiologists have expressed concerns about medicated stent side effects which may increase risk of heart attacks and blood clots for years after the proceedure.
>>PRIOR POST (10/26/2006) Drug Eluting Stent Lawsuits being Reviewed
Recent studies now indicate that medicated stents provide limited, if any, benefit for individuals who do not receive them during the early stages after a heart attack. Last week, at a medical conference in Chicago, researchers indicated that the use medicated stents and angioplasty proceedures days after a heart attack exposes patients to substantial risks without providing any benefits.
Experts indicated that doctors should not attempt to open closed arteries for patients who had a heart attack days or weeks earlier. These patients are often stable, with little or no chest pain. The angioplasty exposes these individuals to general risks associated with the proceedure, as well as to the increased risk of late stent thrombosis (blood clots which could form months or years later).
As many as 50,000 patients a year receive medicated stents three or more days after a heart attack. In many cases individuals may not immediately realize that they have had a heart attack, or may not go to the hospital or doctor until days later. After several days, the study found that it is unlikely that use of medicated stents will prevent heart damage.
The Saiontz, Kirk & Miles product liability lawyers have been investigating medicated stent lawsuits for individuals who suffered a heart attack or blood clot at the site of their stent. The manufacturers have failed to adequately warn users and the medical community of the risks associated with medicated stents. This has resulted in many individuals being exposed to unnecessary risk.
If you, a friend or family member believe that an injury was suffered as a result of a medicated stent, request a free claim evaluation.
