What Is a Heater-Cooler System Lawsuit?

A number of people contracted a dangerous infection called non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). This is a consequence of a heater-cooler system being used during open-chest surgery. These patients have now filed lawsuits against the manufacturer of the Stockert 3T heater-cooler system.

If you feel as if this may apply to you, then you ought to speak to a professional such as TruLaw.com. In this article, we will discuss what a heater-cooler system lawsuit is and everything you need to know about making a claim. 

What Are Heater-Cooler Surgical Machines?

During procedures where the chest and certain other regions of the body must remain open for extended periods of time, body temperature fluctuation is frequently a significant issue. 

By physically controlling a patient’s temperature during surgery, surgical heater-cooler systems like the Sorin 3T are made to address these problems. They can be employed in a variety of procedures where it is difficult to manage body temperature. However, their main application is in cardiothoracic and related heart surgery. 

Systems for heating and cooling contain specialized tanks. These use closed circuits to transport temperature-controlled water to either external heating systems or warming/cooling blankets.

Heater-Cooler Lawsuits

LivaNova, the current producer of the 3T heater-cooler devices that Sorin originally created and marketed, has been named in a number of lawsuits. According to the claims, the 3T heater-cooler devices were dangerously flawed and improperly designed. This has led to bacterial contamination of the victims.

Patients can contract deadly microorganisms through a design and/or manufacturing flaw, leading to severe disease and, in extreme circumstances, death. The company also neglected to promptly address this flaw and inform medical professionals and patients of the elevated risk of bacterial infections.

In October 2016, this was when the highest number of cases were reported in the United States. Unfortunately, almost 50% of the patients died from injections. LivaNova made a $225 million offer in March 2019 to settle around 75% of the claims brought in the US. By July 2019, the business intended to contribute $135 million to the settlement. In January 2020, the last settlement payments would be made.

Possible Symptoms To Look Out For

The Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler System, which is used for open-chest procedures on the heart, lung, or liver, may provide a risk of infection, according to the FDA and CDC. Before you have any kind of surgery, you should weigh up the risks and advantages with your doctor.

The majority of NTM species found in heater coolers develop slowly. The development of infection may take several months to more than a year. Fatigue, fever, pain, weight loss, redness, discomfort in the muscles and joints, night sweats, discomfort in the abdomen, nausea, and vomiting are some symptoms to look out for.

Contact your doctor or another healthcare provider immediately if you have any symptoms. Tell them about the operation you underwent that you believe caused your symptoms. 

Injuries That Have Been Claimed

According to reports, patients who had surgery using heater-cooler equipment developed infections that were challenging to treat. Numerous incapacitating or deadly conditions have been linked in studies to the NTM contamination from Sorin 3T heater-coolers.

This includes: 

• Endocarditis,
• Aortic Root Abscess,
• Pericardial Abscess,
• Myocutaneous Thoracotomy Flap Infection,
• Empyema.

Possible Compensation For A Heater-Cooler System Lawsuit

You need to report your incident to the FDA’s MedWatch program if you think you or a loved one contracted a bacterial infection following surgery that used the Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler system.

A knowledgeable product liability lawyer might also be of use to you. The lawyer can evaluate your case in great detail and identify the legal choices you have.

You can be entitled to damages such as:

• Emotional Distress,
• Suffering and Pain,
• Past and Future Medical Expenses,
• Loss of Income,
• Loss of life enjoyment,
• Wrongful Death – if a loved one has died due to infection. 

Final Thoughts 

Heater-Cooler system lawsuits are really important if you have undergone surgery with a Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler system and obtained harmful side effects. Due to the machines being faulty, there is a chance that you could develop serious and possibly fatal infections. 

If you believe this is happening to you or a loved one, then you are in your right to get in contact with a lawyer to talk about a lawsuit. You could receive financial compensation for the loss of earnings and medical bills you have suffered.

We hope this article has been helpful. You should now have a better understanding of what a heater-cooler system lawsuit is.