Like bare-metal stents, drug-eluting stents (DES) can be placed in diseased coronary arties during an angioplasty procedure. The difference is that drug-eluting stents have a polymer coating containing drugs that are slowly released to limit the growth of scar tissue, thus decreasing the chances for stent restenosis (re-clotting).
New evidence has indicated that drug-eluting stents put patients at risk for developing stent thrombosis – formation of a clot in the stent. If you have suffered an injury from a drug-eluting stent, you may be entitled to receive compensation through a defective product claim.
Medical Problems Linked to DES
Months or even years after the tiny drug-eluting stents have been placed within the diseased coronary artery, late stent thrombosis (blood clots) at the site of the stent can occur. Thousands have suffered serious personal injuries and potentially life-threatening conditions like:
- Blood clots
- Heart attacks
- Strokes
- Death
DES Complications
Drug-eluting stent manufacturers failed to fully disclose the dangers associated with their products to medical consumers. Additionally, manufacturers initially recommended that patients receive three to six months of blood thinners following stent placement, but studies now show patients needing follow-up care for years after the placement of a drug-eluting stent and possibly long-term blood thinner treatment.
A downside exists to long-term blood thinning treatment to reduce the risk of fatal blood clots. Patients then have the added risk of blood thinning side effects, like:
- Severe gastrointestinal bleeding
- Ulcers
- Heart attacks
- Strokes
- Death
If you or a loved one has had serious medical problems from the placement of a drug-eluting stent, the attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers can help you receive the compensation you deserve.
Please contact our defective product lawyers today to schedule your free initial consultation. Jacoby & Meyers has offices throughout the U.S.