Current Investigations

Gadolinium-based Contrast Agents

Several recent reports in the medical literature suggest an association between Gadolinium and the disease Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), and the FDA has issued an alert regarding this potential widespread problem.

Gadolinium is one of the compounds in the contrast dye used to enhance MRI studies. It now seems that Gadolinium-containing dyes can cause NSF, previously known as nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD). Patients, particularly those with serious renal or kidney disease, can develop this debilitating and frequently fatal disease within days or months after have an MRI study with a contrast dye containing Gadolinium. Contrast dye with Gadolinium is also used during an MRA or magnetic resonance angiography.

If you or a family member have developed NSF following an MRI or MRA study, please schedule a free confidential consultation with one of our lawyers by calling us at 704-376-1911 in the Charlotte area or toll free at 1-800-977-3077, or filling out our intake form on our Contact Us.

Trasylol Heart Surgery Drug

The FDA recently announced that Bayer, the maker of Trasylol (aprotinin), has suspended marketing of this heart surgery drug used to help control bleeding. In October 2007, the FDA was notified that a Canadian study of the drug had been halted after early data appeared to suggest that the drug, Trasylol, increased the risk of death. Many patients do not even know they received the drug during heart surgery, but it has since been associated with increased risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and blood clots following surgery.

Based on other studies it appears the manufacturer, Bayer, was aware of problems with Trasylol long before it agreed to the FDA request to suspend marketing. There are some estimates that as many as 22,000 deaths may be related to the use of aprotinin.

If you or a family member suffered a heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, or some form of blood clot following heart surgery such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), please schedule a free confidential consultation with one of our lawyers by calling us at 704-376-1911 in the Charlotte area or toll free at 1-800-977-3077, or filling out our intake form on our Contact Us.