L
lefkowad
In an article dated October 13, 2006, the American Bar Association Journal eReport reported on a consumer fraud case in Connecticut. The administrator of an estate had sued CryoLife Inc. - a human tissue processor out of Georgia. Among other things, CryoLife harvests human valves for transplantation in valve replacement surgeries. The law suit alleged that CryoLife was negligent in its harvesting procedures becuase fungus had developed on the replacement valve. The suit claims that the fungus caused the valve recipient's death. Although the suit was dismissed because Connecticut law does not consider human tissue to be a "product" under its consumer fraud laws, for us participating in this forum, it is important to note the potential positive and negative aspects of each type of valve replacement option. I am not familiar with all the facts of the case. I do think it is prudent do discuss the possibility of fungus growth with your doctor. As with all medical decisions, the decision to use a tissue valve over a mechanical valve must be made in close consultation with your doctor, after considering all the risks and benefits of all options. I post this article only to alert everyone of one more potential risk of accepting a human valve transplat that should be discussed with your physician.
Here is a link to the article: http://www.abanet.org/journal/ereport/oc13tissue.html
Here is a link to the article: http://www.abanet.org/journal/ereport/oc13tissue.html
