Cordis Corporation Balloon Catheter Recall

News of the recall initiated by Cordis Corporation in regards to several lots of its line of balloon catheters used in angioplasty procedures has led to an urgent need for several things, including immediate medical attention for those who depend on these products, legal help for those who have suffered injuries as a result of using them and information regarding potential side effects so that patients can gain an understanding of what to watch for in regards to their own health.

Below is a brief description of the side effects associated with this FDA-announced recall, and if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, seek medical help immediately and then contact a defective medical products attorney to schedule an initial consultation.

Balloon catheters are supposed to be used during an angioplasty procedure to unblock the artery or blood vessels around the heart that are filled with plaque that creates the medical issue in the first place.  Once inside, these catheters are supposed to deflate and allow the vessel or artery to continue operating without the substance that’s been blocking it.

There are three potential side effects that have been identified with these defective medical products.  They are as follows:

• Disrupted Heart Rhythm – This is a condition known as arrhythmia, and it presents itself with symptoms of a ‘thumping’ feeling in your chest, a feeling of fatigue, fainting, chest pain and shortness of breath.
• The Need for Additional Surgery – While there are no ‘symptoms’ for this condition per se, the fact remains that if an artery or blood vessel around the heart is completely blocked, there is an urgent medical necessity in place that requires doctors to surgically repair this problem as soon as possible.  Failing to do so could lead to the final side effect described below.
• Heart Attack – A heart attack is basically damage to at least part of the muscle that is the heart, and its symptoms include chest discomfort, upper body discomfort in general and shortness of breath.  Many heart attacks present symptoms that are quite subtle in nature instead of the massive, overwhelming symptoms that one often associates with this occurrence. 

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Your Next Step

Of course, one ‘side effect’ that is not listed can be the result of any or all of the conditions described above – death to the patient as a result of heart failure.  If you or someone you love is depending on the Cordis products that have been recalled, you need to seek medical attention immediately.  If your diagnosis is such that you’ve been injured as a result of these products, contact a defective products attorney as soon as possible to schedule an initial consultation.