FDA clears Covidien unit's brain aneurysm device

From the Associated Press, April 6, 2011
WASHINGTON — Federal health regulators said Wednesday they have approved a medical implant to shrink aneurysms in the brain and reduce the chance they will rupture. The device is a platinum and nickel tube used to cut off blood to the aneurysm, which is a swollen area of the artery that grows over time and can be fatal if it ruptures. The device is implanted in the carotid artery, which supplies blood to the front of the brain. Over time the implant shrinks the size of the aneurysm, reducing the chance of rupture.

The flexible mesh device is threaded up to the brain through an artery in the leg, eliminating the need for invasive brain surgery.  The medical device manufacturer Ev3 is based in Menlo Park, Calif. It was acquired last year by Irish device maker Covidien PLC.  The FDA approved the so-called Pipeline Embolization Device based on a study of 108 patients with large or giant aneurysms in the carotid artery. One year after implantation, 70 percent of aneurysms were contained by the device.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you haven't gone for your yearly checkup and bloodwork, please do it.  If you haven't come in for your periodic acupuncture treatment, do that as well.  You have one body, one life - so live it as best and as healthy as you can!

Blood Thinners: Watch for Side Effects

Now here's something you might not think about everyday, but...when you're taking a blood thinner for clots, like in DVT(deep venous thrombosis), one of the side effects is internal bleeding.
Since many factors can affect the way your body reacts to this blood thinning medicine, you should always watch for signs of unusual bleeding. Unusual bleeding may mean that your body is getting more medicine than it needs. Some signs are obvious, but others are not. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following signs of bleeding occur:

• Abdominal or stomach pain or swelling
• Back pain or backaches
• Black, tarry or bloody stools
• Bleeding from your gums when brushing your teeth
• Bleeding in eye
• Blood in your urine
• Blood in vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• Blurred vision
• Chest pain
• Confusion
• Constipation
• Coughing up blood
• Diarrhea (sudden and severe)
• Dizziness or fainting
• Headache (continuing or severe)
• Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting (severe)
• Nervousness
• Nosebleeds
• Numbness or tingling of hands, feet, or face
• Paralysis
• Pinpoint red spots on skin
• Shortness of breath
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Unusually heavy bleeding or oozing from cuts or wounds
• Unusually heavy or unexpected menstrual bleeding
• Weakness (sudden)