Interruption of the Aortic Arch
(800) 250-7280
When pregnant women are prescribed Paxil® for their depression or anxiety, they should be informed about the potential birth defects that are currently being researched. One of the potential Paxil® birth defects is an interruption of the aortic arch.
There are three types of interruption of the aortic arch:
- Type A: There is an interruption or break beyond the left subclavian artery; 30 – 40 percent of all cases of interruption of the aortic arch are classified as type A
- Type B: 53 percent of all cases of interruption of the aortic arch involve this type, where the interruption exists between an infant's left subclavian artery and their left carotid artery
- Type C: The least common form of interruption of the aortic arch, occurring in only 4 percent of patients, happens between the innominate artery and the left carotid artery
Interruption of the Aortic Arch Symptoms
Some common symptoms of interruption of the aortic arch include:
- Fatigue
- Fast heart rate
- Rapid breathing
- Poor feeding or drinking habits
- Oxygenated blood count is lower that usual
Infants diagnosed with an interruption of the aortic arch might require treatment in the form of surgery, intubation, diuretic therapy and administration of inotropic medications.
Compensation for Heart Birth Defects
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings that Paxil® may increase the possibility of birth defects, particularly heart defects, if taken by a mother in the first trimester of pregnancy. Interruption of the aortic arch may be one of the side effects. Studies have revealed that Paxil® may increase the risk of heart defects by double.
If your infant was born with a heart defect and you used the depression medication during your pregnancy, you may wish to consult an attorney about filing a legal claim against the makers of the medication. Drug makers have a responsibility to American consumers. If there is a potential danger associated with a medication, consumers should be made aware.
If you feel that you were not adequately warned of the birth injuries associated with Paxil® use, you may qualify to file a lawsuit. For more information or to schedule a private evaluation, contact our attorneys today. We can be reached toll free at (800) 250-7280.
