Dialysis Patient Cardiac Arrest May Have Been Caused by Hemodialysis Solution
Certain hemodialysis solutions commonly used at clinics throughout the United States may have been the cause of cardiac arrest suffered by dialysis patients in recent years, usually occurring during or shortly after treatment.
The product liability lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential dialysis treatment cardiac arrest lawsuits on behalf of patients who may have experienced problems in recent years that were caused by Fresenius Medical Care’s Granuflo or NaturaLyte acid concentrates. To review a potential claim on behalf of yourself, a friend or family member, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
FRESENIUS DIALYSIS SOLUTION CARDIAC ARREST SIDE EFFECTS
Fresenius Medical Care is the largest provider of dialysis treatment and hemodialysis solutions in the country. NaturaLyte liquid acid concentrate and GranuFlo dry acid concentrate are two dialysate solutions commonly used at Fresenius clinics, as well as thousands of other dialysis clinics owned by other companies.
Diaysis Patient Lawsuits
Claims reviewed for the following injuries suffered by dialysis patients during or shortly after hemodialysis:
- Cardiac Arrest
- Heart Attack
- Stroke
- Sudden Death
These Fresenius solutions may increase the risk of dialysis patients suffering cardiac arrest during or shortly after treatment, because GranuFlo and Naturalyte contain sodium acetate that converts to bicarbonate at higher rates than many competing products. When combined with the bicarbonate buffer prescribed as part of hemodialysis treatment, individuals could suffer metabolic alkalosis, which carries an increased risk for serious and potentially fatal heart problems.
Cardiac arrest involves the sudden, unexpected loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness caused when blood stops flowing to the brain and other organs. If cardiac arrest during hemodialysis is not properly treated within minutes, it could lead to catastrophic injury or death.
Due to improper and inadequate warnings and instructions about the potential risks associated with Granuflo and NaturaLyte, doctors may have been unaware about the importance of monitoring and adjusting bicarbonate levels before prescribing the hemodialysis solutions.
It appears that Fresenius Medical Care knew or should have known about the risk of cardiac arrest during hemodialysis from the solutions and not only failed to issue adequate warnings, but continued to sell Granuflo and Naturalyte and promote inappropriate use.
In November 2011, Fresenius Medical Care issued an internal memo to their own clinics about the risk of cardiac arrest from Granuflo and Naturalyte during hemodialysis, but the company failed to provide this information to the rest of the medical community. In addition, the company continued to promote sell Granuflo and NaturaLyte to other dialysis clinics without providing proper warnings and instructions for months.
According to an internal review outlined in the internal memo, the company indicated that there were at least 941 cases of cardiac arrest among dialysis patients at Fresenius clinics in 2010.
FRESENIUS HEMODIALYSIS LAWSUITS
The Fresenius dialysis lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. provide free consultations and claim evaluations for individuals and families who suspect that a cardiac arrest during dialysis may have been caused by the hemodialysis solution that was used. Records can be reviewed to determine if financial compensation may be available through for a heart attack, cardiac arrest or sudden death suffered by dialysis patients.
All dialysis patient lawsuits are reviewed by our law firm on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no out-of-pocket expenses to hire a lawyer and attorney fees are only paid out of any compensation that is received.
1 Comment • Add Your Comments
Eric says:
I have been on and off dialysis for 16 yrs. on and off. I have suffered 2 strokes a two heart attacks . These chemicals have been preasent at every unit that I have attended treatment .
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 2:24 pm