Blood Thinner Injury Lawsuits
Anticoagulation medications such as Coumadin are prescribed to prevent several different maladies caused by blood clots. These include strokes, heart attacks, and chronic blood clots known as DVTs (deep vein thrombosis). Patients who undergo hip and knee replacement surgeries are frequently given Coumadin to prevent postoperative blood clot formation.
Also, patients with coronary artery stents, prosthetic heart valves, and heart rhythm abnormalities (cardiac arrhythmia) are given Coumadin to prevent thrombosis and thromboembolism, conditions that can result in a stroke or heart attack.
Blood thinners can cause serious injuries when prescribed incorrectly. Too little of the drug will not adequately protect a patient from blood clot formation. Too much of the drug can cause internal bleeding or death. As a result, patients who take them are required to undergo regular blood testing to ensure that the amount in the bloodstream remains at proper “therapeutic” levels (International Normalized Ratio test results between 2.0 and 3.0).
It must also be remembered that even when a patient is in the proper “therapeutic” range, it can be difficult to control bleeding from small cuts and bruises. As a result, it is recommended that patients taking Coumadin be careful to avoid injuries and refrain from using razor blades and other sharp objects as severe bleeding may occur.