Croatia links kidney deaths to machines

Croatian hospitals have stopped using the equipment

An emergency meeting of the Croatian cabinet has heard strong suggestions of a link between the deaths of 21 kidney dialysis patients and the US-manufactured equipment used to treat them.

Twenty-one out of 23 patients who died in the past week all used equipment made by the US firm Baxter, the ministers heard.

A full inquiry has been launched, but Prime Minister Ivica Racan told the meeting that initial findings pointed to filters made by Baxter.

All (deceased) persons have used the equipment named Plivadial P-15 and P-18, which US firm Baxter produces

Deputy Interior Minister Josip Vresk

Baxter has said there is no evidence of a connection, pointing out that the machines used, dialysers, are only one part of the treatment process.

"Data from hospitals show that there was more than one common element to all the patients, including what we call disposables - needles, dialysers and the solution used in the process," spokeswoman Patty O'Haer told the Reuters news agency.

She said it would be impossible to prove the link without a thorough investigation, which could take weeks.

A delegation of Baxter representatives had gone to Croatia to help with the inquiry, she said.

Data from hospitals show that there was more than one common element to all the patients

Baxter spokeswoman Patty O'Haer

At its emergency meeting, the Croatian Government decided to give compensation to the bereaved families, although details were not given.

It has also said it will liaise with the authorities in Spain, where 10 kidney patients died in August while undergoing dialysis using Baxter filters.

In France, health authorities ordered the temporary removal of Baxter dialysers from nine hospitals following the Spanish deaths.

Mr Racan told the cabinet: "Many indications point to technical aspect as the cause (of deaths). The suspicion is focused on filters produced by Baxter and imported by Pliva."

Racan: Initial findings point to Baxter equipment

Deputy Interior Minister Josip Vresk told the meeting that all the dead patients had used equipment named Plivadial P15 and P18.

Croatian Health Minister Ana Stavljenvic has offered to resign, after being criticised for the speed at which all hospitals were alerted to the dangers.

The first deaths in Croatia occurred on Monday, but the authorities only alerted all of the country's hospitals to the dangers on Friday. Most of the deaths took place on Friday and Saturday.

Ms Rukavina said no new deaths had been reported after the dialysers had been replaced and that clinics using other dialysers had not reported any problems.

Average death figure

Last week Baxter produced a product report clearing the company of any blame.

Of the 21 victims, some died during dialysis treatment, while others died from choking or heart problems shortly afterwards, Croatian media reported.

Two other people also died, but had not used the Baxter equipment.

In an average week in Croatian hospitals, between three and six kidney patients die.

Spanish inquiry

An independent investigation in Spain has not established any link between Baxter's equipment and its own deaths.

The Spanish Health Minister, Celia Villalobos, said she was still waiting for a report from her own ministry.

The chief executive officer of Croatia's leading drugs company, Pliva, said Baxter had given its assurance that the filters delivered to Croatia were not from the same batches as those used in Spain.

Ivo Covic said his company had now suspended the delivery of the Baxter-made dialysers to Croatian hospitals.