Heart stent alternatives could reduce risk of clots
Over the past six months, the use of drug eluting stents has dropped significantly. As doctors and patients have developed valid concerns about stent side effects which could cause heart attacks or potentially fatal blood clots years after the stent is implanted, alternatives to drug coated stents are being considered and the manufacturers face lawsuits from those injured by the small mesh devices.
>>INFORMATION: Drug eluding stent problems
Drug eluting stents were designed to improve upon bare-metal stents by containing a drug coating which releases medication to prevent scar tissue from forming and blocking the artery. However, studies have confirmed that the newer heart stents could actually cause fatal blood clots and heart attacks, or result in a reclogging of the artery.
There are two medicated stents currently available in the United States, the Johnson & Johnson Cordis Cypher Stent and the Boston Scientific Taxus Express Stent. After they were introduced in 2003 and 2004, the new stents quickly replaced bare-metal stents. By early 2006, estimates indicate that drug eluting stints were used in 90% of all proceedures. However, since studies have been released regarding the dangers of medicated stents, doctors have considered alternative treatments and are slowly moving away from the potentially dangerous devices. According to recent estimates, drug coated stents now only account of 70% of all stents placed, and each month the number continues to fall.
DRUG COATED STENT ALTERNATIVES
There are several new stent studies which are raising further questions about the continued use of medicated stents over other alternatives. Alternatives to drug coated stents include using older bare-metal stents, bypass surgery or medication to treat the blockage.
Next week, a stent study known as COURAGE will be presented at a meeting of the American College of Cardiology in New Orleans. It is expected that this study comparing the benefits and dangers of stents during angioplasty to medications designed to reduce the risk of heart attacks and death could further hurt sales of medicated stents. The study shows that there was no difference in terms of preventing heart attacks and deaths for the group of patients reviewed. Experts will be closely evaluating the results of this study which will be presented Tuesday, March 27.
Three other studies and editorials will be published later this month raising questions about the clinical and cost effectiveness of stents when compared with bypass surgery. The research suggests that minimally invasive bypass surgery may produce better long term results and may be a better option for some heart patients.
Many physicians are also considering bare-metal stents, which are considerably less expensive and do not require patients to remain on anti-clotting therapy for as long of a time after the placement. Bare metal stents cost approximately $800 each, compared with about $2,000 a piece for medicated stints. Given the long-term risk of blood clots, patients receiving drug eluding stents also require a medication to reduce clotting, such as Plavix. However, Plavix requires patients spend another $1,500 a year for the drug, and could cause serious harm if it is stopped or taken inconsistently. There are also concerns regarding Plavix side effects which could lead to gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers and a blood disorder known as TTP (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura).
DRUG ELUTING STENT LAWSUITS
Many individuals who received a medicated stent since 2003 are angry over the manufacturers’ failure to properly study their product and warn about the problems which could increase their risk of death years after the procedure. As a result of the stent makers’ actions, they not only face declining sales, but will also have to answer to drug eluting stint lawsuits which are being filed on behalf of individuals who suffered a heart attack or reclogging of the artery.
>>INFORMATION: Drug eluting stent lawsuits
The recent decline in use of medicated stents in favor of other alternatives demonstrates how important it is that medical product manufacturers properly warn of problems and side effects. Information regarding the dangers of drug eluting stents clearly impacts the “risk – benefit analysis” which doctors and patients consider before deciding on a course of treatment.
The drug eluding stent lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent those who were injured by these dangerous devices. To determine if you, a friend or family member may be entitled to compensation, request a free claim evaluation.
6 Comments • Add Your Comments
ShawNee Seaman Stepp says:
Should those like my self that have had a heart attack and now has a Cordis stent in the LAD, be concerned of what the future holds ? Between the stent and Plavix that I have been on now for 14 months and now reading all these things I dont know what to exspect. I am always worred cause I have been back to my doctor several times for discomfort in my upper left side chest. Though they have not found anything wrong. What is your advice to someone that had a heart attack at age 43 non smoker, and in good health . I feel like I worry alot. After reading this web site I am real uncomfotable even more. Any advice? ShawNee Seaman Stepp.
Posted on March 23, 2007 at 6:44 pm
Bren says:
My husband recieved a cypher drug coated stent in August 2006. How soon and what kind of symptons do we look for?
Posted on March 24, 2007 at 10:12 am
Austin Kirk says:
ShawNee, since we are not physicians, we are unable to offer medical advice. To reduce the risk of blood clots and heart attacks, you should follow your physician’s recommendations regarding use of Plavix.
Bren, cypher drug coated stent problems increase the risk of blood clots and heart attacks. Follow this link for blood clot information.
Posted on March 25, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Steve Beale says:
I had three blockages in May, 2005. Two in my LAD and one in my RCA. The two blockages in the LAD were 100% blocked and 60% blocked. The one in the RCA was 60% blocked. Three drug eluting stents were placed at that time. I developed slight pressure in my chest and needed another angioplasty in July 2006 as scar tissue blocked the LAD 100% where the original stent was placed.( the area that was 100% blocked originally). Two drug eluding stents were placed on top of the first drug eluding stents, side by side. I was fine for awhile and then began having slight pressure again in Feb 2007. Another angioplasty was performed due to scar tissue blocking 100% again and the physician placed a bare metal stent on top of the drug eluding stents that were placed in July. Now I have 6 stents and am wondering if this is going to be an annual occurrance. I would like to obtain further information as to the potential hazards to me and your thoughts on my experience with these stents.
Posted on April 6, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Austin Kirk says:
Steve,
Based on what you have described, you may be eligible for a drug eluting stent lawsuit. Feel free to contact our office to discuss your legal rights in further detail and to determine whether we may be able to secure financial compensation from the manufacturer for failing to warn about the problems with these stents. We can be reached toll free at (800) 522-0102 or you can request a consultation on-line.
Our website contains additional information and resources regarding potential hazards of drug coated stents. We can not offer you medical advice, but you should consult with your physicians if you have further concerns to evaluate the benefits and risks of stents compared with other treatment alternatives which may be available.
Posted on April 8, 2007 at 7:04 pm
Roger Larck says:
I had a heart attack in 6/01 and had a metal stent placed. On 10/02 I had another heart attack. A local smaller hospital gave me clot busting drugs. This stopped the heart attack. From there I was sent to a larger hospital for a heart cath and stent placement. They used a medicated stent. Two and a half months later I started feeling extremely tired and just an overall bad feeling. I was placed in the hospital and underwent a stress test. It showed blockages. I was transferred to the larger hospital again for another heart cath. I had four blockages. My first stent was blocked at 95%, my last stent was blocked in excess of 70%. They did bypass surgery on 1/13/03. Two of the bypasses didn’t mature. In 6/05 I had a third heart attack and medicated stint placement. Could any of these problems have been brought on by the medicated stents.
Posted on May 9, 2007 at 7:48 am