Studies have linked medicated or drug eluting stents with possible side effects such as thrombosis (blood clotting) and the possible need for long-term costly anti-platelet medication therapy (e.g., plavix - clodiprogel) in order to prevent thrombosis.
In addition, the studies also found that the drug-coated stents may result in a higher death rate due to cardiac events such as heart attack when compared to metal stents without a drug coating.
Most recently, a study in connection with Plavix (clodiprogel) published in JAMA on August 26, 2009 - Association of Cytochrome P450 2C19 Genotype With the Antiplatelet Effect and Clinical Efficacy of Clopidogrel Therapy stated that "Individuals with this genotype [a common gene type or variation] have reduced protection from clopidogrel [plavix] in preventing cardiovascular disease–related events following PCI."
And, as reported by Reuters, this study postulates that "Those who had the [gene] variation and took Plavix after a procedure to open blocked heart arteries [e.g. drug eluting medicated stent via PCI] were 2.4 times more likely to die or have a heart attack or stroke than those who did not have the variant and took the drug."
The Reuters article goes on to report that "They tested their findings in a different study of 227 people undergoing treatment with a stent to prop open blocked heart arteries. Those who had the gene responded poorly to Plavix, and were twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke in the year after their treatment."
For more information on Drug-Eluting/medicated Heart stents, click here.
Quite frankly, the simple factsTM about the Cypher Sirolimus Drug Eluting/medicated Heart Stent and the Taxus Paclitaxel Drug Eluting/medicated Heart Stent and the possible injuries - blood clots, stent thrombosis, heart attcks, myocardial infarction and death - that may be caused by using the Cypher Sirolimus Drug Eluting Heart Stent and/or the Taxus Paclitaxel Drug Eluting Heart Stent are unacceptable.
If you have used a drug eluting/medicated heart stent that was developed by Cypher/Cordis or Taxus/Boston Scientific during angioplasty (prop open an artery with stent) and are suffering long term side effects or problems, you may have a case/lawsuit and be entitled to compensation.
We are investigating claims of problems - blood clots, stent thrombosis, heart attcks, myocardial infarction and death - or other health complications in connection with possible side effects from the use of the Cypher Sirolimus Drug Eluting/medicated Heart Stent and the Taxus Paclitaxel Drug Eluting/medicated Heart Stent.
We are here to help you protect your legal rights and the legal rights of your loved ones.
