| The TAXUS® stent, manufactured by Boston | | | | because they can block the artery, causing heart |
| Scientific Inc, is a small, flexible sleeve of stainless | | | | attacks, even death. In the period 18 to 36 |
| steel mesh, used to improve blood flow in | | | | months after implantation, patients with the |
| coronary arteries for people whose arteries have | | | | TAXUS® drug-coated stent experienced |
| been narrowed by coronary artery disease. | | | | higher rates of clotting and death than patients |
| Inserted into a coronary artery, the expandable | | | | who had bare-metal stents. |
| stent helps keep the artery open, allowing a | | | | Patients who have not developed clots may still |
| better blood supply to the heart. The | | | | need to take expensive antiplatelet medication |
| TAXUS® stent is a drug eluting stent, (DES), | | | | indefinitely in order to prevent thrombosis. |
| in which the mesh of the TAXUS® stent is | | | | Some TAXUS® stent recipients have |
| coated with Paclitaxel, a medication intended to | | | | suffered side effects from Paclitaxel, the drug |
| prevent restenosis, the reblocking of the artery. | | | | coating. These include |
| The FDA approved the TAXUS® stent in | | | | - inflammation of the arterial wall |
| 2004, and since then more than 3 million | | | | - allergic response |
| TAXUS® stents have been implanted in | | | | - anemia |
| patients in the US and around the world for | | | | - muscle and joint pain and muscle weakness |
| treatment of coronary artery disease. At the | | | | - abnormal liver values |
| time of the original approval, the FDA required | | | | - gastrointestinal disturbances |
| Boston Scientific to follow the patients involved in | | | | - hair loss |
| the original clinicaltrials for 5 years after | | | | If you or a loved one have had a TAXUS® |
| implantation of the TAXUS® stent and also to | | | | Stent implanted, and have experienced |
| follow new patients who had the TAXUS® | | | | thrombosis, a heart attack, side effects to |
| stent implanted. | | | | Paclitaxel, or other complications, or if you have |
| As Boston Scientific conducted the follow-up | | | | any questions about its safety, you should |
| studies mandated by the FDA, many cases of | | | | immediately consult with your physician. It is very |
| thrombosis at the site of the TAXUS® stent | | | | important to continue any anticlotting medications |
| were reported. Thrombosis is the formation of a | | | | that have been prescribed. |
| blood clot. Blood clots are extremely dangerous, | | | | |