J&J; Tells Doctors of Cypher Stent Clots

Johnson & Johnson has sent a letter to doctors alerting them to cases of blood clotting linked to its Cypher stent, the company’s bestselling new product in years.

The Food and Drug Administration said it had received 47 reports of clotting in Cypher patients. Johnson & Johnson said more than 50,000 people in the U.S. have received implants of the $3,195 stent since it won approval in April.

Stents are mesh tubes placed in arteries to keep blood flowing. Unlike older stents, the Cypher is coated with a drug to reduce the risk of clotting.

Analysts expect sales of the device to reach $2.2 billion in 2004.

Shares of New Brunswick, N.J.-based Johnson & Johnson fell 50 cents to $52.48 on the New York Stock Exchange.