Product News and Recalls

Experts Say Heart Stents Used More Often Than Necessary

The New York Times recently reported about studies show that heart stent placement, called an angioplasty, is among the most overused medical interventions. The insertion of a heart stent, a small metal mesh tube that is used to open a narrowed artery, can be lifesaving in emergency situations. However, studies by the American Medical Association and the Joint Commission reported that stents are often implanted in those who gain little, if any, benefit.

Heart stents are sometimes used for ...

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Study Suggests Statin Use May Increase Risk of Cataracts

A new study has emerged that links statin medication to the risk of developing cataracts, according to US News and World Report.

Researchers with the VA North Texas Health System published study results in the online edition of JAMA Ophthalmology, in which they analyzed data from over 14,000 statin users. They found that statin users had a 27% greater risk of developing cataracts. Even after analyzing the data several different ways, the same association emerged: statin use was ...

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Gilenya a Possible Link to Rare Brain Infection

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an alert to the public indicating that a patient in Europe diagnosed with possible multiple sclerosis has developed a rare and serious brain infection after taking Gilenya.

Gilenya is used to treat relapsing forms of MS, a nervous system disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. This is the first case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), which is a rare and serious brain infection caused by the John Cunningham ...

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FDA Issues Warning and Requires Label Change of Fentanyl Pain Patches

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a warning about the dangers of accidental exposure to and the improper storage and disposal of fentanyl patches.

Fentanyl is a potent opioid pain reliever and is used to treat patients in constant pain. The patches work by releasing fentanyl into body fats, which slowly releases the drug into the bloodstream over 48 to 72 hours, allowing for long-lasting pain relief. However, because of the potency of the drug, improper ...

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CDC: Decontamination Procedures Not Followed After Creutzfeldt-Jakob Patient Treated

CNN reports that several patients who underwent surgery at a Massachusetts Hospital may have been exposed to rare and dangerous disease due to improper sterilization of medical equipment from another facility in New Hampshire.

The medical equipment, rented by Medtronic Inc., was initially used on a patient with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, New Hampshire. After that initial procedure, the equipment was sterilized with heat, which is known to not be effective in eliminating Creutzfeldt-Jakob contamination. ...

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Johns Hopkins Study: Da Vinci Surgical System Injuries “Vastly Underreported”

According to a study by Johns Hopkins researchers published in the Journal for Healthcare Quality, adverse events associated with the da Vinci Surgical System have been “vastly underreported.” The device is sold by Intuitive Surgical.

The da Vinci Surgical System allows surgeons to perform operations via remote control, so a physician can maneuver miniaturized surgical instruments in tight areas of the body. The device is often used in procedures where laparoscopic surgery has traditionally ...

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