Medtronic Heart Devices
February 2005: Medtronic began warning doctors about some faulty batteries installed in a line of its implantable heart defibrillators. As a result this could cause the battery to experience a rapid depletion of power resulting in the loss of device function.
What you should know:
On February 11, 2005 Medtronic Inc. issued a statement that the company was voluntarily advising physicians about a potential battery shorting mechanism in certain implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-D) models. ICDs shock the heart back into a regular rhythm if the patient suffers a life threatening arrhythmia that could lead to cardiac arrest. CRT-Ds provide electrical impulses to improve heart function.
Medtronic heart devices were surgically implanted in persons that were either prone to life-threatening heart rhythms, congestive heart failure or a combination of both. According to the FDA, Medtronic heart devices with batteries manufactured between April 2001 and December 2003 may exhibit this shorting action.
The particular ICDs and CRT-Ds were manufactured between April 2001 and December 2003 and include the following:
- Model 7230 Marquis VR
- Model 7274 Marquis DR
- Model 7232 Maximo VR
- Model 7278 Maximo DR
- Model 7277 InSync Marquis
- Model 7289 InSync II Marguis
- Model 7279 InSync III Marquis
- Model 7285 InSync IIIProtect
Additional Information:
What can I do?
If you have experienced any adverse effects from a Medtronic heart defibrillator, you should immediately consult your physician. You may also want to consider your potential legal claim. If you would like more information, click here to fill out a free case review form or contact attorney Ron Goldser directly, toll-free at 800.755.0098. Zimmerman Reed is experienced in handling defective medical device cases and we welcome any questions you may have.
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