Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer - Defective Medical Devices

How safe are you in the hospital?

Jamie Sheller — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:13:25 GMT

Is it safer to be in the hospital during the day when having a heart attack than in the evening? According to recent research, a higher percentage of heart attack patients get better care during the day at a hospital, than between the hours of 11 pm and 6 am. Apparently, hospitals are better staffed and more attentive to patient needs during the day. Sadly, those who rely upon the staff the most, are at highest risk. For more information read this
Today more people are injured by the negligence of their healthcare providers. Due to changes in medical coverage, and incentives by insurance carriers, patients often receive less than adequate health treatment.
If you or a loved one has been injured by the malpractice of a health provider, contact Sheller, PC. We have a team of experienced trial attorneys who are eager to assist you with your legal needs.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis caused by pain pumps

Jamie Sheller — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:22:21 GMT

Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis, or PAGCL, is a painful condition in the shoulder caused when the cartilage between the humeral head and the ball and socket of your shoulder has broken down to the point where bone meets bone. Recently, studies have shown that pain pumps used after shoulder surgery is a leading cause for this pain. While these products are still available on the market, attorneys are beginning to bring claims against the manufacturers for related injuries. If you or a loved one has experienced serious injuries from these pain pumps, please contact our firm. We have a team of experienced trial attorneys who are waiting to assist you.

For more information on this subject, please see our section on Drugs, Medical Devices and Implants.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Thoratec Implantable Ventricular Assist Devices Recalled

Jamie Sheller — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:40:39 GMT

Thoratec Corporation has recalled its Implantable Ventricular Assist Devices (IVAD) catalog number 10012-2555-001, serial numbers 488 or higher. The recalled devices were manufactured and distributed from October 1,2 004 through October 22, 2007. These IVAD's are used to help pump blood through the body of a person whose body is too weak to perform that function. The IVAD can be implanted or placed in an external position. If the IVAD is placed in the external position, it may develop air leaks. These air leaks could result in not enough blood flowing to and from the heart. For information visit the following website:

http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/recalls/recall-101907.html

For more information on this subject please refer to the section on Drugs, Medical Devices, and Implants.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Micro-bubble contrast agents may cause death or serious cardiapulmonary reactions

Jamie Sheller — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 10:14:53 GMT

Reports of death and serious cardiopulmonary reactions to the micro-bubble contrast agents used with ultrasounds has caused the FDA to require revisions to the labels of these products. Micro-bubble ultrasound contrast agents are used in the administration of ultrasounds to view the heart. Definity and Optison are the only micro-bubble products approved for use in the USA. The adverse reactions to these products occured within 30 minutes to one hour of the administration. The FDA now recommends that physicians assess all patients for the presence of certain heart conditions that may attribute to an adverse reaction. In addition, the FDA recommends that patients inform their doctor if they have certain heart or lung conditions prior to administering the micro-bubble product. For more information, view the following website:

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Drugs, Medical Devices and Implants.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Medtronic Recalls Sprint Fidelis Cardiac Leads

Jamie Sheller — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 11:00:20 GMT

Medtronic has removed its Sprint Fidelis defibrillation leads from the market after several adverse events in patients. Defibrillators are used to monitor the heart rate in patients. If the defibrillator detects an irregular heart rhythm, it sends an electrical shock to the heart to restore normal rhythm. Medtronic has found that the leads are prone to fracture. These fractures may cause the lead to deliver unnecessary shocks to the heart or not operate at all. Due to the problems with the leads, Medtronics has requested that doctors stop implanting the leads and return all unused leads to Medtronic. If you or a loved one has been injured by an implanted defibrillator, you may be entitled to compensation. Please contact the attorneys at Sheller, P.C. to discuss your legal rights. We have a team of experienced trial attorneys who can use their expertise to help you.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Drugs, Medical Devices, and Implants.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

More Recalls of Guidant Heart Devices

Jamie Sheller — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 12:36:30 GMT

Due to a defect causing shortened battery life, Guidant has recalled several models of its implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICD's) and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-D's). The recall involves about 73,000 devices, which have faulty capacitors possibly leading to rapid battery depletion. The Guidant ICD's and CRT-D's included in this recall are the Contak Renewal 3 HE CRT-Ds (Models H177 and H179), Contak Renewal 3 CRT-Ds (Models H170 and H175), Vitality 2 DR ICDs (T165), Vitality 2 VR ICDs (T175), Vitality AVT ICDs (A155), Vitality DS DR ICDs (T125), and Vitality EL DR ICDs (T135). This is not the first time Guidant has recalled its heart devices. During June 2005 through September 2005, Guidant issued five separate recalls of its cardiac devices. Last year, Guidant was purchased by Boston Scientific.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Kidney Disease Associated With Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agent

Jamie Sheller — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 10:27:25 GMT

Recently, the FDA updated an earlier public health advisory concerning gadolinium-based contrast agents used with MRI and MR angiography procedures. There have been a number of reports of a new disease called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis or nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NSF/NSD) occuring in patients with moderate to end-stage kidney disease. Some patients developed NSF/NSD after only one dose of the contrast agent. Some symptoms of NSF/NSD include "burning, itching, swelling, hardening and tightening of the skin; red or dark patches on the skin; yellow spots on the whites of the eyes; stiffness in joints with trouble moving or straightening the arms, hands, legs, or feet; pain deep in the hip bones or ribs; and muscle weakness. " The disease is debilitating and may cause death. The FDA recommends that in patients with moderate to end-stage kidney disease, an imaging procedure other than MRI or MRA with a gadolinium-based contrast agent be used.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Recall of Some Boston Scientific Guide Catheters

Jamie Sheller — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 16:30:59 GMT

The FDA has recalled 12 lots of Boston Scientific's Mach 1 Guide Catheters. These devices are tubes that are thread through the body and used to help treat coronary artery disease. Excess strands of resin may be inside of some of the catheters. In the event that excess resin is present and detaches while the catheter is being used in treatment, embolization may occur. Embolization in a blood vessel can lead to serious complications such as stroke and heart attack.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Off Label Use of Drug Eluting Stents Carries Increased Risks

Jamie Sheller — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 13:57:36 GMT

According to the FDA, off-label use of drug-eluting stents carries an increased risk of thrombosis, myocardial infarction and death. An FDA advisory panel recommended changing the labels of such stents. The two approved devices are Cypher (sirolimus-eluting) and Taxus (paclitaxel-eluting). Approximately 60% of the three million drug-eluting stents implanted in Americans, are off-label. In addition recommending label changes, the FDA panel also agreed that "future pre-market clinical trials of drug-eluting stents 'should be longer and bigger and should specifically address the issue of stent thrombosis.'"

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Recall of Blood Clotting Test Strips

Jamie Sheller — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 12:38:34 GMT

Recently, Roche Diagnostics issued a recall of CoaguCheck PT test strips. Patients using anticoagulants or blood thinners have their blood tested to determine clotting time. The strips are used for that purpose, both by patients at home and by medical professionals. Depending on the blood clotting time, corrective measures may need to be taken. A defect in the CoaguCheck PT strips may cause falsely elevated results and prompt incorrect medical action, with the potential for serious or life threatening injuries.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller