Cypher Stent
A number of Drug-Eluting Stents (DES) have recently been recalled by their manufacturers due to increased risk of stent thrombosis. The FDA has been monitoring coronary drug-eluting stents very closely since their arrival on the US market in 2003, and will continue to do so as more cases of defective stents are reported.
Invasive stent surgery is required to implant the DES in the patient. A catheter with a deflated balloon inside of it is inserted into the body (via a blood vessel) to the narrowed (“infected”) section of the artery. The balloon is then inflated within the infected artery, opening up the area by pushing against the artery wall. The balloon and its catheter are then withdrawn from the patient.
The stent, which is mounted on another deflated balloon catheter, is advanced through the blood vessel and positioned within the expanded artery. The balloon on the second catheter is then inflated; causing the stent to expand to the size and shape of the arteries inside walls. The balloon on the second catheter is then deflated and removed from the patient.
Problems have been reported by patients when the balloon failed to deflate properly resulting in coronary artery bypass surgery and even death. To date there have been nearly 20 reports of serious injury and one report of death as a result of cyther stent complications. Certain coronary stents have also been linked to blood clots that have formed during and right after surgery, resulting in stroke and, in some cases death.
If you or a loved one have been injured by a Cypher Stent, contact us immediately at (800) 966-4999 and see why our law firm has recovered over $100 million on behalf of our clients.
