A study has found the implantation of drug-coated stents, as posing a substantially greater risk when it comes to suffering from blood clots or having heart attacks. This is in comparison to using the older version of the coronary devices that are made of bare metal. The conclusion of the study declared that the benefits that could be derived from the drug-coated stents are considerably more than the risks. However, the study pointed out that patients who had implants of the coronary medical device still carry increased risks of getting a heart attack and acquiring blood clot between 12 and 15 months after the procedure. There were even reports from cardiologists that a trend on the increase of blood clotting among patients with drug-coated stents was noted only after a period of three months after the implantation. A stent is utilized in propping open arteries that were cleared surgically. The drug-coated former has gained more popularity, as it is said to be more effective in the prevention of the re-narrowing of the propped open arteries. This re-narrowing of the arteries was found to have eventually happened among some patients who had the bare metal coronary stents. But, with the mounting data that shows blood clotting among patients after implantation, doubts have surfaced over the reliability and safety of the drug-coated stents.

Although total mortality rates both for the drug-coated stents and the bare metal stents are the same, it was noted that patients with drug-coated stents had a reduced tendency of about 43 percent when it comes to repeat procedures. The drug-coated stent was seen as a medical breakthrough when it was introduced 3 years ago, quickly replacing the bare metal version of the coronary device. However, the recent concern over the risks carried by this medical device has caused the percentage of the drug-coated version in the stent market to decrease from 95 percent about a year ago to 70 percent at present.

If you have suffered from the formation of a blood clot in your arteries or a heart attack because of the drug-coated stent implant, it is time to contact a defective medical device lawyer. An experienced lawyer in such cases will be able to fight for your rights as a user of a defective medical device. You are entitled to get financial retribution for the pain and suffering that you went through because of the medical device that caused your injuries. Make sure that you contact a lawyer as soon as possible after you sustained your injuries, though, because there are statutes of limitations that restrict the filing of any compensation claims after a given period of time. Not being able to file a claim within the given time period immediately forfeits your right to get any kind of compensation for your suffering. Most states now adopt a two year statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims.

In contacting a lawyer, make sure that you hire one who is qualified and knowledgeable when it comes to defective medical devices. This way, he will be able to provide you with all the pertinent information that you might ask in regard to the drug-coated stent. He should also be compassionate enough to make sure that you receive the maximum compensation that you deserve, which will not only cover all the medical expenses that you incurred, but also for the pain and anguish and the losses that you experienced. While an out of court settlement might be beneficial when it comes to the time that you and your lawyer have to spend on your case, your lawyer may advise you to go for the more lengthy court trial.