The Cordis-Cypher stent is a medical device surgically implanted in angioplasty patients to help keep arteries open and flowing post-operatively. The drug promises a shorter recovery time for patients with coronary artery disease and even contains a chemical that helps reduce the risk of clotting or blockage. Patients who are allergic to aspirin or blood thinners should not consider the stent. The Cordis-Cypher stent has been targeted in lawsuits by plaintiffs claiming the device contributed to blood clots, heart attacks and stroke.
The Cordis-Cypher stent is manufactured by Johnson & Johnson. It is a medical device designed to help patients suffering from coronary artery disease- a disease the buildup of plaque in the arteries. As buildup increases, the risk of total blockage becomes greater which results in the need to surgically implant a stent to help open the artery and increase blood flow. The Cordis-Cypher stent differs from other arterial stents in that it contains anti-blockage medication that circulates in the blood to help prevent future blockages and the need for repeat procedures.
Side effects of the Cordis-Cypher stent range from mild to severe. Some patients experience a mild allergic reaction to the anti-blockage medication in the stent and develop rash-like symptoms and hives. Other patents report heart attacks and stroke as directly attributable to use of the Cordis-Cypher stent. In a 2006 study, patients with the Cordis-Cypher stent were five times more likely to develop blood clotting or thrombosis than those using regular, uncoated metal stents. Thrombosis can quickly lead to death from heart attacks and strokes and any symptoms of clotting should be reported to medical professionals immediately.
The FDA has issued warnings with regard to the Cordis-Cypher stent after receiving more than 290 reports of blood clots within 30 days of use. The estates of 60 patients reported death from the device while 50 other patients died as a result of sensitivity or allergy to the medication contained in the stent. The FDA has not pulled the product from the market but is urging doctors to use the device with extreme care and caution.