732-333-8141

Call for a Free Consultation

732-333-8141

Click to Call | 732-333-8141

Scale Columns

$500+ Million Recovered

For Our Clients

Call Us Today

Doctors May Prescribe Safer Blood-Thinning Drugs for Patients with Irregular Heartbeat

Neurologists at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine have found that certain new blood-thinning drugs could represent a major improvement over warfarin, a blood thinner that is often used by doctors to significantly reduce stroke risk when a patient has atrial fibrillation. The study was recently published in Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine, a peer-reviewed medical journal that provides information on current and emerging treatment options.

For patients with atrial fibrillation, a common type of arrhythmia that leads to irregular heartbeat, strokes are a very serious concern because blood clots can form from the heart. Blood thinners may help to decrease the risks associated with atrial fibrillation.

However, there are potential health risks for individuals who use blood thinners. When the blood becomes too thin, the patient’s life can be put in jeopardy by bleeding into the brain, which could cause hemorrhagic strokes.

That’s why anyone who uses warfarin, or any other blood thinner, has typically needed to be continuously monitored to make sure that their blood does not thin too much. Additionally, certain dietary restrictions may be needed to ensure that the patient’s blood does not get too thin after using warfarin.

The new blood-thinning drugs, which include apixaban, edoxaban, dabigatran and rivaroxaban, may help to solve these issues. The researchers behind the recent study found that these new drugs can be just as effective as warfarin while presenting fewer health risks. According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the newer drugs make bleeding into the brain less likely than older blood-thinning drugs like warfarin. Additionally, the newer drugs work more rapidly than warfarin, making it less important for patients to undergo constant monitoring for adverse reactions.

However, these new blood-thinning drugs do pose their own health risks. Medical experts have said that doctors who prescribe blood-thinning medication, whether it’s warfarin or some other type of blood thinner, still need to take into account other important health factors, such as the patient’s age, kidney function and diet. When a doctor fails to properly diagnose a medical condition or negligently prescribes medication, they may expose themselves, and their hospital’s insurance company, to liability in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

To learn more, view the UPI.com article, “New Blood Thinning Drugs Safer for Reducing Atrial Fibrillation.”

 

If you or a loved one has suffered an illness or sustained a personal injury due to the negligent treatment of a doctor or physician, you need to speak with a skilled medical malpractice lawyer The NJ personal injury and medical malpractice attorneys at Drazin and Warshaw, P.C. have more than 70 years of combined experience dealing with these types of cases. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

schedule a free consultation today

5 stars

“The attention and service from Drazin & Warshaw was phenomenal from day one. They are truly passionate about their work and the client”.

- Greg A.

more client reviews

Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances

2

New Jersey

super lawyers

Award Background

3

certified civil

trial attorneys

Award Background

70+

years of

winning cases

Award Background

1

njaj past

president

Award Background
More About Us