The Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler Linked to Infection for Heart Surgery Patients

When a person undergoes heart surgery, they know that they are undertaking a huge risk that is necessary in order for them to survive. Unfortunately, a manufacturer of a popular medical device that is essential to performing open heart surgeries has caused an unnecessary increase in the risk for heart surgery patients by supplying hospitals around the world with devices that were contaminated with bacteria.

If you or a loved one underwent open heart surgery from 2010-2016 and suffered major complications due to infection, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Contact an experienced defective medical devices attorney to assess the facts and circumstance of your case and let you know if you have a valid claim for compensation.

The Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler

Heater-cooler systems are an essential aspect of heart bypass surgeries. These devices help circulate blood through the patient’s body and keep it at a very specific temperature during the procedure. Over the last five years, there were more than 250,000 heart bypass procedures performed in US hospitals each year.

In October of 2016, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, known as the CDC, issued a serious warning regarding certain heater-cooler devices that were commonly used during open heart surgeries between 2010-2016.

According to the CDC, these devices may have been contaminated during the manufacturing process, which put patients at risk of life-threatening infections that were contracted during surgery.

In approximately 60% these procedures, the Heater-Cooler device that was used was the Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler System manufactured by LivaNova (formerly the Sorin Group) of Germany.

The Stockert 3T heater-cooler has been linked to bacterial infections caused by a rare type of bacteria called Nontuberculous Mycobacteria or NTM. Symptoms associated with this type of infection include:

• Night sweats

• Muscles aches

• Weight loss

• Fatigue

• Unexplained fever

These symptoms can take a long time to develop and be recognized (up to five years, in some cases). This means that the infection is very difficult to diagnose and to treat. However, if it goes untreated, it can lead to serious health complications and even death.

Stockert 3T Lawsuits

If you or someone you love underwent open heart surgery between 2010 and 2016 and are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, you should see a physician immediately to find out if you are suffering from an infection contracted during your surgery. If so, you may be entitled to file a Stockert 3T lawsuit to be compensated for your pain and suffering, medical expenses, and more.

Taking on a large pharmaceutical or medical device manufacturer is never an easy battle. But, with the right team of lawyers and trial experts working on your behalf, you can fight and receive what you and your family deserve as compensation for the injustice that you have suffered.

For help locating a lawyer or law firm that has experience pursuing mass tort litigations against medical devices manufactures and is ready to help you fight for compensation, call The Hayes Firm: Attorney Finding Service at 1-800-603-6833, or send us a message here to arrange an initial consultation.