For people with heart conditions or clogged arteries, a cardiac stent can be a life-saving procedure. However, you may be concerned about your number of stents and whether they are necessary. If you believe you have been put through an unnecessary or inappropriately done medical procedure, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim.
Our attorneys at Wagner Reese, LLP can guide you through the questions you may have about stents, including the maximum number of stents allowed. Our team has a long track record of success and has been recognized for helping people like you with our aggressive defenses and focus on maximizing your outcome.
That includes Attorney Jason Reese being listed multiple times among Indiana’s Top 25 Medical Malpractice Trial Lawyers by the Medical Malpractice Trial Lawyers Association. He has also been honored by the National Trial Lawyers, which is an invitation-only organization of national legal professionals.
What are stents and why are they used?
Cardiac stents are a medical tool used to help open your arteries and allow blood flow to the heart. When your arteries are clogged or have otherwise closed, oxygen cannot get to the heart. This can lead to a heart attack.
Stents can be used for restorative or preventative measures. If you have suffered from a heart attack, a stent can help reopen your arteries and help prevent future cardiac issues. If you have not suffered from a heart attack but are at risk, a stent may be placed during a coronary angioplasty to help improve the function of your arteries and prevent future problems.
These cardiac stents can even be placed with medicine. These stents are called drug-eluting stents, while others are called bare-metal stents.
Factors that determine the number of stents an individual can have
Depending on the specifics of your condition and the specific issues you are having, the number of stents you can have may vary. In at least one case, an Indonesian industrialist had at least nine implants to help with cardiac blockage, while traditional belief states that patients should not have more than five or six.
In reality, the number of stents that you can have depends on your physical needs. While certain factors may limit your need, getting a cardiac stent you do not need can cause serious damage to the heart.
Medical conditions that may require multiple stents
As you have attended your appointments with your doctor or your surgical dates, you may be aware that your doctor is expecting to give you more than one stent. Multiple stents and medical procedures may be necessary to help you recover from your condition. When would you require multiple stents?
Typically, two or more stents may be placed in situations where you are dealing with more complex coronary disease. For example, you may have multiple arteries that need stents, and treating one without treating the other may leave your situation less improved.
In other cases, you may be dealing with a complex part of your body’s anatomy. In these cases, it may take multiple stents to be properly placed in a way that efficiently opens the coronary arteries to allow proper blood flow.
Risks and benefits associated with multiple stents
In some cases, having multiple stents may be necessary for you to recover from the medical concern you are facing. These stents can save lives, preventing further cardiac damage or preventing a heart attack. In some situations, heart attack victims who would otherwise not survive may have a second chance with a cardiac stent, and other patients no longer require coronary bypass surgery after treatment.
Unfortunately, there are stent implantation limitations. First, rather than being an issue of the number of stents, you may instead be at risk of injury or even death based on the necessity of the stents.
If you have a cardiac stent placed that was unneeded, the resulting scar tissue and clotting can lead to narrowed arteries, which may put you at risk for heart attacks and more. In these cases, you may need experienced personal injury lawyers on your side to hold the doctor responsible for your suffering.
Recovery and follow-up care after receiving multiple stents
After receiving a cardiac stent, you then will have follow-up care and treatment to ensure that your recovery and your surgery are a success. For an emergency procedure or for multiple stents, you may have a longer recovery period, but these procedures are meant to be minimally invasive and can have huge benefits.
After a stent, you may be expected to rest and not return to work immediately. You may need medication, and you may need to take care when standing or sitting for a few days to a few weeks. The specifics of your recovery care will depend on your doctor’s recommendations.
However, your doctor should also be careful about keeping an eye on your recovery. Failure to provide appropriate instruction or a lack of attention to any symptoms you have after the stent can leave you injured and may be grounds to contact medical malpractice attorneys who can help you file a claim.
Wagner Reese, LLP is experienced in handling medical malpractice cases involving stent procedures
Cardiac stents can be a life-saving measure for those with cardiac disease, but they can also lead to serious injury and death if the doctor or hospital does not take the appropriate steps to protect your safety. In these cases, you may need guidance and legal support from an attorney, like those at Wagner Reese, LLP.
Our legal team is a top-rated, award-winning group of legal professionals who are here to use our decades of experience and accolades to help you get the results you need from your case. With a founding partner listed among Indiana’s Top 25 Medical Malpractice Trial Lawyers and other team members getting the intention of groups like Super Lawyers, you can expect quality treatment that is specifically focused on your medical malpractice needs.
For a free consultation with our team, at least three of whom have been in The Best Lawyers in America©, presented by Best Lawyers®s, reach out for help. You can speak to a member of our team when you call 866-828-0308 or fill out our online contact form.
