According to clinical research, patients on fluoroquinolones such as Levaquin may be at a higher risk for aortic thoracic aneurysm, which can lead to aortic rupture.

Fluoroquinolones are broad spectrum antibiotics which are commonly used to treat bacterial infections, such as respiratory infections and urinary tract infections. These antibiotics are also used in the treatment of bacterial bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, typhoid fever, pelvic inflammatory disease, and other infections.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved numerous fluoroquinolones for use including Levaquin, Avelox, Cipro, Factive, Noroxin, and Floxin. However, although fluoroquinolones are widely used to treat infections, new research suggests that the rising use of Levaquin and other related antibiotics may be the cause of increased aortic thoracic aneurysm events in the United States.

Aortic Injuries

The aorta is the largest artery in the human body and carries oxygen rich blood out of the heart. When a portion of the aorta is weakened, the wall of the blood vessel may bulge out or enlarge. This event is known as an aortic aneurysm.

When an aneurysm occurs in the abdomen, which is most common, it is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm. When an aneurysm occurs in the upper body, closer to the heart, it is called an aortic thoracic aneurysm.

Aortic aneurysms are not always life threatening, but having an aortic thoracic aneurysm can increase the risk for severe aortic emergencies such as aortic rupture or aortic dissection.

An aortic dissection can occur at the site of an abdominal or thoracic aneurysm. The weakening of the aortic wall can result in a small tear in the inner aortic wall. When the inner wall tears, the force of blood flow can push blood into the aortic wall and further weaken the integrity of the remaining layers, increasing the risk of aortic rupture.

An aortic rupture is the most dangerous aortic event and requires immediate care. After an aortic dissection, the force of blood flow can tear through all of the layers of the aortic wall. The aorta can then further tear along the length of the blood vessel, quickly leading to profuse internal hemorrhaging, shock, and death.

Fluoroquinolone Connection

Although the exact relationship between fluoroquinolones and thoracic aneurysm is not fully understood, many researched theorize that collagen side effects of fluoroquinolones are to blame for increased aortic events.

The use of Levaquin and other fluoroquinolones have been linked to collagen disorders. Collagen comprises many of the body’s connective tissues including blood vessels. A collagen defect, induced by Levaquin or another fluoroquinolone, may result in a weakening of the aorta, leading to the risk for aortic thoracic aneurysm.

The number of severe aortic events has increased over the past few decades, with an estimated 15,000 patients dying every year from aortic aneurysm alone. Should fluoroquinolones such as Levaquin be linked to an increased risk of aortic thoracic aneurysm, the increased use of fluoroquinolones may be related to the increased number of aortic aneurysms.

Drug manufacturers have been named in lawsuit alleging that Levaquin and other fluoroquinolones can cause aortic events. If you or a loved one experienced an aortic event after taking Levaquin, you may qualify for legal action. A Levaquin aortic aneurysm lawsuit could help recover compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, permanent disability, wrongful death, and more.