Dialysis Heart Attack, Stroke Victims Sue Fresenius

Dialysis Heart Attack, Stroke Victims Sue Fresenius

By Christina Drury

Hundreds of thousands of Americans suffer from kidney problems that require them to undergo hemodialysis. With a wide variety of drugs available for dialysis treatment, two of the most common include GranuFlo and its counterpart, NaturaLyte. Plagued by problems – namely an issue that results in overproduction of bicarbonate – GranuFlo’s manufacturer, Fresenius Medical Care, has seen hundreds of drug injury lawsuits filed in the last several months. The newest GranuFlo lawsuit has been filed by Ronnie Glasper, a patient who received GranuFlo and subsequently suffered both a heart attack and stroke after treatment.

Fresenius Accused of Hiding Problems

According to his GranuFlo lawsuit, Ronnie Glasper suffered from GranuFlo side effects that included a heart attack and stroke. He accuses Fresenius of intentionally hiding and failing to inform medical clinics across the country of the possibly of alkali problems when using GranuFlo and NaturaLyte. Fresenius sent an internal memo in 2011 to many of its clinics but did not send it to the particular Fresenius clinic that Glasper was being treated at nor was his physician advised of the possible fatal side effects of GranuFlo when too much bicarbonate is produced within patients. An anonymous worker sent the internal memo – which outlined the potential overdosing problems – to the attention of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which prompted swift action.

GranuFlo Risks

With Fresenius failing to warn all clinics and physicians using GranuFlo and NaturaLyte, they created a situation in which many patient lives were put at risk. Several patients died as a result of cardiac arrest and others suffered debilitating side effects. Some of the most common GranuFlo side effects include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Cardiopulmonary arrest
• Death
• Stroke
• Cardiac Arrhythmias
• Other serious health complications

Because physicians and clinics were not adequately warned, several patients suffered severe injuries. Numerous GranuFlo lawsuits are pending – 11 of which are federal lawsuits that have been consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

Plaintiff’s Injuries Not Unusual

Glasper’s lawsuit is only one of many that have been filed since GranuFlo was recalled by the FDA. Among the charges in his GranuFlo lawsuit, he is alleging that Fresenius was negligent in not informing all clinics and physicians who use GranuFlo of the potential for overdosing and claims that Fresenius did not carry out adequate testing to ensure that GranuFlo and NaturaLyte worked as claimed.

Many patients have suffered from an overdose while on dialysis and several have died as a result of cardiac arrest that occurred almost immediately. If you or a loved one has been injured by the use of GranuFlo or NaturaLyte, you may be eligible to file a GranuFlo lawsuit. To get more information, visit our Kidney Dialysis Heart Attack, GranuFlo & NaturaLyte Recall Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation page.