Cypher Stent for Heart Disease
Manufactured
by Johnson & Johnson, the Cypher Stent was approved
by the Food and Drug Administration in 2003. The Cypher
Stent is a tiny metal apparatus used in patients who
have suffered a heart attack or have angina, a form
of coronary artery disease which exhibits a build-up
of plaque in the coronary arteries. The Cypher Stent
is unique in that it releases an anti-rejection-type
medication.
In 2006, about three years after FDA approval, the
esteemed Cleveland Clinic (named one of the top 3 U.S.
hospitals in 2006, by US News & World Report) released
a very troubling analysis of drug-coated stents. The
findings, the results of 14 thorough studies, showed
that the drugs Sirolimus (Johnson & Johnson) and
paclitaxel (Boston Scientific) seemed to be four to
five times more likely to cause severe cardiac side
effects.
Recent estimates speculate that there are more than
290 blood clots and 60 deaths linked to the Cypher
Stent. These numbers are staggering and the risks are
very serious. Among other side effects, Cypher Stent
patients are at risk of:
• Heart attacts
• Pulmonary embolisms
• Strokes
• Blood clots
• Deep vein thrombosis
Additionally, patients with stents have reported a
wide range of severe reactions to the drugs contained
in stents. These reactions may include, but are not
limited to:
• Rash
• Pain
• Fever
• Blood pressure irregularities
• Itching
• Hives
If you or someone you care about has a Cypher Stent and
is exhibiting any of the symptoms listed above, please
fill out our Case Review Contact Form to the right on
this page to find out what your case is worth.
