FDA Investigating Del. Heparin Deaths

"So far we've found nothing," she said.

"We're moving very expeditiously," added Riley, who said in a prepared statement that, at this point, "this appears to be an isolated incident."

The heparin was provided by Baxter Healthcare Corp., a unit of Deerfield, Ill.-based Baxter International Inc., which was involved in a heparin recall last year following several reports of adverse reactions.

Hudson said Beebe has switched to another supplier pending the outcome of the investigation.

Baxter spokeswoman Erin Gardiner said the company has not received reports from any other institutions regarding heparin but is working with Beebe and the FDA.

"We are thoroughly investigating," Gardiner said. "At this point, its premature to speculate on the relationship, if any, between the reactions and our product."

Gardiner said last week that premix bags such as those used at Beebe were not involved in last year's recall, which involved contaminated product from China and resulted in stepped-up oversight of suppliers by Baxter.

Gardiner said Pfizer supplied the active ingredient used in the premix bags, and that the finished product was made by Baxter at a facility in Puerto Rico.