Concerns about medicated stents in diabetics
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has raised concerns over the use of drug eluting stents in patients with diabetes. The tiny mesh devices which are placed in arteries to keep blood flowing may increase the risk of death when compared with older devices.
>>INFORMATION: Drug coated stent problems
The drug eluting stent article reviews data for diabetics who participated in the clinical trials for the Johnson & Johnson Cypher drug coated stent. The article indicates that diabetics with drug coated stents had a death rate between 40% to 500% higher than those who received the Johnson & Johnson Velocity stent, an older bare metal device without the drug coating.
The study raises concerns for diabetic stent patients as well as the cardiologists who implant the stents. Researchers have indicated that the increased risk of death for those with diabetes “may be due to chance”. However, such an answer does not do much to reassure diabetics who were given drug coated stents to open clogged arteries instead of older bare metal stents, or possible other treatments such as medication or bypass surgery.
>>RELATED POST 2/16/07: New England Journal of Medicine Stent Studies Released
The larger question is why stent makers have not already conducted further studies on the safety of medicated stents for those with diabetes. The Johnson & Johnson Cordis Cypher stent was approved in 2003 and the data for the recent article published in the New England Journal of Medicine was based on a review of past data supplied by the manufacturer from the clinical trials done several years ago.
Clearly additional studies need to be done for those with diabetes receiving stents. If evidence indicates that the risk of death is this much higher for diabetics, it is clear that most such patients would likely not have agreed to have the drug coated stent implanted into their artery.
DRUG ELUTING STENT LAWYERS
Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represents individuals nationwide who have suffered injuries or death as a result of drug eluting stent side effects. Lawsuits are being investigated for heart patients who have had a drug coated stent implanted and subsequently suffered blood clots, a heart attack, re-clogging of the artery or death. To have a drug coated stent lawyer determine if you may have a potential claim, request a free consultation and case evaluation.
