Boston Scientific Taxus Stent
Quick Facts
March 4, 2004
Manufacturer
Boston Scientific Corp.
Status
Recall July 2, 2004
Recall July 16, 2004
Recall August 5, 2004
Approved Uses
Restenosis of arteries & blood vessels
Complications
Death
Blood Clots
Heart Attacks
Stroke
Related Topics
Bos. Scientific Express Stent
J & J Cypher Stent
Drug Coated Stents
Blood Clots
Heart Attacks
Stroke
Diseases
Defective Medical Devices
Boston Scientific Taxus Stent Side Effects May Lead To Heart Attack Lawsuits
Boston Scientific Taxus Stent | Lawsuits, Lawyers | Side Effects: Thrombosis, Heart Attacks, Blood Clotting | Faulty Device, Defective Delivery System
The Boston Scientific Taxus Express Stent was approved in March 2004 and has made the company into the largest coronary stent manufacturer in the U.S. The stent emits paclitaxel, a drug intended to inhibit restenosis caused by scar tissue growth. The stent uses a proprietary polymer, Translute™, to control the release of the drug paclitaxel. In late November 2006, a new meta analysis by the Cleveland Clinic of 14 studies of drug coated heart stents found that the incidence of blood clots with these newer devices is four to five times the incidence associated with the original metal stents which eluted no drugs. Because of the increased risk of thrombosis and resulting heart attacks, patients with the paclitaxel-eluting Boston Scientific Taxus stent are required to take anti-clotting medications for six months or more.
Taxus Stent Recalls
Boston Scientific Corp., the largest maker of heart stents, has had multiple voluntary recalls of its drug-coated Taxus devices because of defects in the delivery system. About 200 Taxus stents were recalled in July 2004. After identifying further problems, the company recalled 85,000 Taxus stents (both drug coated and bare metal types) later that month. In August 2004, an additional 3,000 Taxus stents were recalled that had been manufacturered prior to the aforementioned recalls. The catheter problems appear to have been caused when too much heat was applied during the laser welding stage in the manufacturing process, the company said.
Legal Help For Victims Affected By Boston Scientific Taxus Stent
If you or a loved one have a Taxus stent and have suffered clotting as a result, contact Parker & Waichman, LLP for a free legal case consultation. Call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636) or fill out the form at the right for legal assistance.
