Coarctation of the Aorta and Paxil
(800) 250-7280
Coarctation of the aorta is, reportedly, a potential heart defect associated with Paxil®. Studies have shown a high risk of heart defects in infants whose mothers took the antidepressant during the first trimester.
Aortic coarctation creates a narrowing of the aorta, a major artery that carries oxygen-filled blood from the heart throughout the rest of the body. The heart must work harder to make up for the defect.
Doctors and medical experts have not found the exact cause of coarctation of the aorta. It is usually a congenital birth defect. In some cases, the condition may not be diagnosed until the child is fully grown. Diagnosis will vary depending on how narrow the aorta is.
Coarctation of the Aorta in Pregnancy
Coarctation of the aorta can affect a child’s healthy circulation by cutting off the amount of blood that will pass through the aorta. This means that the left ventricle of the heart must work twice as hard to pump blood through the limited passage way.
Symptoms of coarctation of the aorta may include:
- Sharp pain in the chest
- Feet and legs are unusually cold
- Breath goes short and stiff, especially when exercising
Studies have shown that infants may be at risk of developing coarctation of the aorta and other heart birth defects if their mother’s take Paxil® or other similar medication during the first trimester of pregnancy. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alerted healthcare professionals and consumers that Paxil® may almost double the risk for heart-related birth defects in used during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Surgery for Coarctation of the Aorta
To repair an aortic coarctation, first doctors must review a patient's echocardiogram, chest x-ray, MRI, or CT scan to get a clear view of the narrowing of the aorta.
The most common form of surgery for coarctation of the aorta is to remove the narrowed section of the aorta. Treatment can take on other forms of surgery, such as opening up a part of the artery and repairing the damage by using a flap of it to expand as necessary.
Ask a Paxil® Birth Injury Lawyer
If your infant was born with coarctation of the aorta or another heart defect and you took Paxil® during your pregnancy, you may be eligible for compensation. For more information about a potential Paxil® coarctation of the aorta lawsuit, contact us today. Our Paxil® lawyers can be reached toll free at 800-250-7280, or send us an email and someone from our office will contact you shortly.
