Heparin May Have Caused Father's Death

Staten Island, NYRaymond S (not his real name) is one of a growing number of people trying to determine if a loved one was given Heparin during surgery. Raymond says he believes that, based on his father's sudden health decline and low blood pressure, there is a good chance he was given the drug. Now Raymond, like many others, is investigating a possible lawsuit against the maker of Heparin, alleging the drug caused his father's death.

A few years ago, Raymond's father had an operation on his aorta to fix an aneurism. He survived the operation but had to go on dialysis immediately following the surgery and required dialysis two to three times a week afteward. Despite that, Raymond says his father seemed to be recovering but two months after his surgery, Raymond's father died unexpectedly.

"I visited him every day for two months," Raymond says. "The last day I went there, the hospital said that they could not do anything more for him. He was in a coma. I asked them what happened and they said that his blood pressure went really low.

"He was up and alive and fine for at least two months before his blood pressure dropped. For those two months it looked like he would recover. The only excuse that they would give me for what happened was that his blood pressure went low and he became brain dead.

"He was not on dialysis before the surgery but after the surgery he was on it a lot. What happened [his sudden drop in blood pressure] was a surprise to me. For him to slip into that kind of dramatic condition, I think there had to be something that caused it. I think that they gave him Heparin and that may have caused his death."

As with other drugs that can be given during surgery, there are patients who may have been given Heparin but do not realize it. Heparin can be given during heart surgery and is also used for some patients during dialysis. It is a blood thinner and prevents clots that can cause heart attacks and strokes.

"People should try to be as knowledgeable as possible about the medications given during surgery because they don't tell you these things," Raymond says. "They don't tell you what they've given your dad or your mom. They really should tell the public what medications they are giving patients."

Many patients and their loved ones are now investigating to find out if Heparin was used during heart surgery. If you or a loved one was exposed to Heparin during surgery, or if you have reason to believe Heparin was used but do not know for certain, contact a lawyer to discuss your legal options.