Drug-Coated Cardiac Stents Have Risks

September 2006

Boston Scientific has confirmed an increased risk of blood clots associated with their drug-coated cardiac stents. The small wire-mesh tubes are used to keep arteries open after being clogged.

A significant difference in the rate of late stent trombosis, or blood clots appearing in stents months after implantation, was found in both their Cypher and Taxus stents when compared to a bare-metal stent. This is the first time a stent maker has acknowledged an increased risk of dangerous side effects related to the devices. The study found that compared to bare-metal stents, an additional one in every 200 patients contracts a blood clot when using a drug-coated stent between 6 months and four years.

Stent thrombosis has a 30% death rate. With millions receiving the devices each year, experts believe this has become a public-health matter.

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