Overuse of medicated stents leads to increased risk

Harvey Kirk

By Harvey Kirk
Posted November 20, 2006

ADD YOUR COMMENTS 9

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 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.

9 Comments • Add Your Comments

  • mike martin says:

    Have there been known side affects from patients who have not had a heart attack, but received medicated stents?

    Posted on November 22, 2006 at 7:45 pm

  • Harvey Kirk says:

    Yes. The studies have shown that medicated stents carry a statistically increased risk of late stent thrombosis, or blood clots at the site of the stent months or even years later. These studies compared the use of medicated stents to older bare metal stents which are considerably less expensive.

    >>RELATED POST: Medicated stents linked to increased risk of stent thrombosis

    Saiontz, Kirk & Miles is investigating claims for heart attacks or blood clots suffered by individuals who received a medicated stent for any reason. Feel free to contact our office or request a claim evaluation to further review any questions you may have.

    Posted on November 22, 2006 at 11:23 pm

  • Chris Meier says:

    I was given a Taxus DES on Sept 30, 2006. I have had a headache everyday since the procedure.

    I’ve seen 3 primary care physicians, 2 ENT specialists, and a neurologist about the headaches. The cardiologist has no explanation for the headaches. No one can give me an answer. I do not have HBP, the stent was placed not due to artery disease but a muscle mass had formed over an artery (likely born with it)and narrowed it by 80%. The finding was incidental, muscoskeletal pain was primarliy evident and the stent was placed in response to chest pain and xray findings.

    Is their any history of repeated headaches in patients who have the DES and or are taking Plavix.

    Posted on November 26, 2006 at 1:31 pm

  • Austin Kirk says:

    Chris, at this time we are not investigating any legal claims for users who suffered headaches caused as a side effect of Plavix or medicated stents. We are unaware of any research regarding a connection between either of these products and chronic headaches. However, you should continue to follow up with your medical providers for further treatment and diagnosis of the origin of your headaches.

    Posted on November 26, 2006 at 9:01 pm

  • cathy trombley says:

    Yes, My Mother had stents put in for blockage in Feburary 04, She had headaches there after, and never used to have headaches, also was on plavix and asprin, she had purple spots all over her body, she was confused, Very dizzy, vomiting, high fever, black stool, blood in stool, anemia, one of her vericose veins popped and could not stop bleeding. Nose bleeds. Went to her doc, did blood work, count was 8, sent her home, ended up he didnt even look at the count until I called the next day!! Another doc admitted her immediatley on July 14th, she died July 18th. O4.. She was on Plavix after her stent surgery.

    Posted on December 15, 2006 at 8:14 am

  • Mary Y McGee says:

    I have medicated stences, (4)to be exact. I have had several problems since I’ve had the last stence in Oct. It is now May 3, 2007. My dr. told me to stay on plavix and all other meds. untill Oct.. Now I am scared. I don’t know what to think or what to do. I do not blame my dr. I do blame the manufacture.
    Please, I need help!
    Thank you,
    pfcjcmbmom@yahoo.com

    Posted on May 2, 2007 at 11:12 pm

  • Myra says:

    My Husband had a medicated stent approx 4 to 5 years ago. he still had complaints of pain off and on he was told it was the best of stents being a medicated one. it was in the main desending.
    on November 13th just last week he had a massive heart attack with heart damage. this will change our quality of life.he went to the heart lab and guess what another medicated stent was put in I know they do what they feel is right in an emergency but shouldn’t we have been given a choice. he is also on plavix coumadin and asa. The cardiologist wanted to know who put the stent in . with family present he told me whoever put it in that is was not even against the artery wall. what do you think about that?

    Posted on November 26, 2007 at 11:11 pm

  • Lisa says:

    I had a stent placement in aug 2004 and I had to have another stent placed in my right renal artery in feb 2005 then the doctor went up to see the stent already placed in my right coranary artery and had found that I was blocked again right under the first stent and he piggiebacked another stent under the original one and now the left renal needs a stent and god only knows what he’ll find in there

    Posted on July 24, 2009 at 2:30 pm

  • Tiger says:

    Hummm, I don’t know, what is right , what is not? I had triple bypass in Dec. 2002. one year later, had a blood clot lodge in one of the grafts. MI. began having stents put in, and started PLAVIX. about everyy six months, I would have to be rushed in and more stents. 8 stents from 2003 till Oct. 2009. Then it happened. ( A clot completely blocked a stent.) Cardiac Arrest. took me in doing chest compressions. in the ER shocked me trice. cath lab I coded two more times. They finally got two more stents in and temp. pace maker. 9 days later I walked out of the hospital. Doctor took me off PLAVIX and put me on EFFIENT.. March 2010 two more stents. June more stents. and Now, I just got out again from having 2 more stents. 18 stents and counting. I am alive, thank God. but where do I go from here.

    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 10:34 am

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