Risk of medicated heart stent blood clots extends beyond nine months
Heart stents are small expandable mesh tubes which are placed into clogged arteries to keep blood flowing. Drug eluting heart stents contain a medicated coating which is slowly released to prevent the development of scar tissue inside the artery. While the medication reduces the risk of scar tissue blocking the artery, recent studies indicate that it leads to an increased risk of potentially fatal blood clots.
>>INFORMATION: Drug eluting heart stent problems
Many experts now question the safety of drug eluting heart stents and there has been a sharp decline in medicated stent placements. In September 2006 information was first released that drug eluting heart stents increase the risk of blood clots for years after the stent operation. Since then, Boston Scientific has reported a 17% drop in profits on declining sales of their top-selling Taxus drug eluting stent and Johnson & Johnson reported a 15% decline in sales of their Cypher drug eluting stent.
This month, stent makers have attempted to minimize the risk of death associated with their products following a study published in the American Journal of Cardiology on February 1, 2007. The study followed 2,359 stent patients for nine months. When comparing the fatality rate for those who received medicated heart stents and bare metal stents nine months after the operation, the study found a higher survival rate with drug coated heart stents.
The problem with the stent study is that it ignores what happened after nine months. The study was sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, and no data was reported on deaths which occurred after nine months, even though the increased risk associated with drug eluting heart stents extends beyond that time.
Prior studies have shown that the problems with drug eluting heart stents can cause a blood clot four years or longer after the stent placement. The medicated coating on the small wire mesh devices result in the metal of the stent remaining exposed for years after the stent operation. With older bare metal stents, natural tissues formed a protective coating over the metal of the stent, reducing the risk of clotting. With drug eluding stents, the metal is left acting as a virtual clot magnet.
All stents carry some risk of clotting during the first six to nine months after the stent placement. The problem with drug eluting stents is that the risk continues for much longer. The recent study which evaluates stent fatalities over a nine month period should not be used to justify the use of drug eluting stents.
HEART STENT LAWSUITS
Johnson & Johnson and Boston Scientific face thousands of drug eluting heart stent lawsuits by individuals who have suffered injuries as a result of the defective medical products. The risk of stent blood clots was not disclosed or properly researched before the small devices were implanted into the arteries of millions of Americans.
The stent lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk represent individuals who have suffered blood clots, reclogging of the artery, heart attacks or death. If you, a friend or family member have had a drug eluting stent implanted and believe you may have a case, request a free claim evaluation.
8 Comments • Add Your Comments
Tim Alday says:
I am 43 years old and I have 5 medicated stents I need to know what to do because I have a family that really needs me.What can I do to Live..Please Help Me..Thank you Tim Alday
Posted on February 7, 2007 at 9:52 am
Austin Kirk says:
Tim, the best legal advice we can offer is that you make sure you continue to follow up with a doctor for medical monitoring. Although the makers of the drug eluting stents initially only recommended that patients follow up with a doctor for three to six months following stent placement for anti-clotting therapy, the risk extends for years. Many doctors are indicating that they intend to keep their patients on blood thinners for the rest of their lives. Obviously, different doctors may have different medical recommendations for follow up, but dedicated and consistent treatment with your doctor will help reduce your risk of injury.
Posted on February 7, 2007 at 11:55 pm
Reba Rose says:
On August 9, 2007 I had my first heart attack. You would think the doctors would have talk with me about putting a stint in along with the risk factors. Couldn’t they have done a bypass instead. Now I have another problem along with their stent? Now I have to worry about blood clots. Also I am having a reaction to the blood thinners. So if I am not able to take the thinners. Then what?
Posted on August 19, 2007 at 12:55 pm
JERRI B. says:
I had 3 stints inserted five weeks ago in my heart, following a heart attack just three days after major lumbar spine surgery where 3 spinal fusions, with titanium plates, rods, and screws, were inserted to repair major spine damage caused by an accident when I was hit by a hotel porter who was pushing a luggage cart rapidly through the lobby area where I was standing.
Now, what have these stints done to cause or protect my heart and othter internal organs, such as kidneys, etc? I am taking three heart meds, such as Plavix, Lucinipral, and another med alongside dosages of morphine for extreme pain.
Posted on August 24, 2008 at 5:02 am
warren says:
i have had 13 medacated stents placed in my left anterior decending artery.i have problems about every 3to 6 months,and every time its the stents that are blocking off.i am really concerend about what is going on.because every time i get sick the dr. says oh you need another stent.how many of thease do i have to have,before iam fixed ?? or am i at greater risk with all thease stents i have now???
Posted on October 12, 2009 at 3:09 pm
mike says:
I had two medicated stint put in on 06/07/2005 they told me to take plavix for 6 months and then I could get off the drug plavix. On 02/04/2006 I had a massive heart attack with 100% blockage were they put the 2 stints in me.It was blood clotting inside of the stints. Luckily I was able to get to the hospital in time being that I died at the hospital and they revived me back .I have only one side of my heart that pumps and I am on all kind of meds now due to the heart attack.I would like to say thank-you Boston scientific for your wonderful stints that you have developed and ruined people lives and killed others .
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 8:14 am
Leeverne says:
On 4/11/06 I had 2 taxus express monorail stents. Three months later I suffered a heart attack that required by-pass surgery to correct. Both stents had blood clotted despite Plavix and aspirin. Wish I had angioplasty instead.
Posted on March 2, 2011 at 7:11 pm
Hollie says:
Do you know if any of these medicated stents has ever caused shortness of breath? My mother is very sensitive to medications, and since her mediicated stent implant she has never been the same. She has difficulty breathing, feels very tired all the time, and very discouraged. We have taken her to doctors for 2 opintions. The physicians can’t seem to find out any thing wrong with her lungs or heart. I was hoping that possibly you could tell me if the problems with her breathing could be a side affect of the medicated stent.
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 1:28 pm