A contaminated heparin lawyer can help

What is heparin?

Heparin is an anticoagulant that has been around since the 1930s.  Commonly referred to as a blood thinner, heparin decreases the blood’s clotting ability, and is often administered to patients at risk of developing life-threatening blood clots during surgery or other invasive procedures.  Heparin is also used as a flush product to remove blood clots from IV lines to keep the lines clear.

Heparin is most often given as an injection or through an IV as a bolus dose (a high dose given in a short period of time) during cardiac surgery or kidney dialysis.  Most patients who have experienced problems with heparin received the drug in a bolus dose.  However, a small number of patients experienced problems related to the heparin lock flush solutions.

Heparin contamination | Heparin FDA recalls

Baxter Heparin: On Jan. 17, 2008, Baxter International, Inc., the manufacturer of multi-dose and single dose vials of heparin sodium injection, initiated a recall of nine lots of its heparin sodium injection.  One month later, Baxter issued an update on its recall referencing patient reactions to lots of heparin sodium injection other than the nine lots recalled.  Although Baxter suspended production of the drug, it continued to distribute its existing product.

On Feb. 14, 2008, the Wall Street Journal reported that the active ingredient to Baxter’s heparin was supplied by a company called Scientific Protein Laboratories (SPL) with facilities in Wisconsin and China.  The active ingredient was manufactured at both locations.

On March 5, 2008, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) reported that it discovered a “heparin-like molecule” in the active ingredient in heparin supplied by SPL, which was supplied to Baxter to make its heparin.  At present, the FDA continues to study Baxter heparin and the contamination with the heparin-like molecule.

Pre-filled Heparin Syringes

Problems with pre-filled heparin and saline syringes used to flush out long-term IV lines began to surface in October 2007.  Blood infections developed in patients who used these syringes that were manufactured by AM2PAT, Inc. at its North Carolina facility.  AM2PAT focused its attention on a single lot and related infections in Illinois and Texas. Accordingly, AM2PAT began quarantining this lot and withdrawing syringes from the market.  Subsequently, the FDA became involved. It inspected the AM2PAT manufacturing facility and determined the facility failed to have adequate controls to ensure necessary sterility of its pre-filled syringes.

At present, all pre-filled heparin and saline syringes manufactured by AM2PAT, Inc. have been recalled for potential contamination with serratia marcescens bacteria.  The recall applies to the heparin pre-filled and saline pre-filled syringes distributed under three product labels: Sierra Pre-Filled, AM2PAT, and B. Braun.

Heparin injuries and side effects

Exposure to contaminated heparin can cause serious injuries and even death.  Hundreds of people have sustained injuries from their use of contaminated heparin. Many have died. Problems that can occur from a reaction to contaminated heparin include organ failure, heart problems, shock, decreased blood pressure, chest pain, abdominal pain, nausea, low energy, fainting, skin redness, increased sweating, throat swelling, shortness of breath, and headaches.  It is essential that anyone experiencing these symptoms contact a medical professional immediately.

If you or a loved one has been harmed due to use of contaminated heparin, contact a heparin attorney or heparin lawyer with the Texas law firm of Jim S. Adler & Associates today, or learn more via the firm's News and Views blog. The Adler law firm offers a free case review and can fight for your rights in the legal arena.