St. Jude Symmetry Bypass System

Heart bypass surgery with a St. Jude Symmetry Bypass System may cause serious complications. This device has been associated with a high occurrence of heart attacks, respiratory failure, and has been linked to several deaths. The St. Jude Symmetry Aortic Connectors have caused patients to experience a higher rate of valve leakage, failed deployment, graft narrowing and occlusion. This device works as a component of a system comprising of an aortic cutter, a delivery system and the connector. The product works by allowing surgeons to perform coronary artery bypass graft surgery without closing off or clamping the aorta during the procedure. This is done by attaching saphenous (leg) vein grafts to the aorta without sutures (sewing to make the connection). The St. Jude Symmetry device is often used in “beating heart” or “off machine” heart bypass surgery because it eliminates the need for the patient to be hooked up to a lung machine during bypass surgery.

Thousands of the devices have been implanted during coronary bypass surgery. Many patients have had to undergo a second surgery, a duplicate of the first, to redo the graft and remove the faulty aortic connector device. Reports show that some of the patients suffered adverse medical events, including heart attack, respiratory failure and death.

Despite these adverse reports, it is alleged that St. Jude Medical has continued, without change, to manufacture, market and sell the symmetry bypass aortic connector. It is also alleged that St. Jude Medical has failed to conduct clinical trails or testing of the larger segment of post-cardiac bypass patients. The manufacturer has made no alterations to the device to lessen the inherent dangers, and has yet to contact the medical community to warn of the potential failures or to emphasize the importance of regular testing.

Zimmerman Reed has succeeded in helping compensate those who suffer injuries caused by dangerous or mislabeled medical devices. Currently we are successfully representing patients with St. Jude's Silzone heart valves. If you or a loved one have suffered adverse effects from the St. Jude Symmetry Bypass System, please contact attorneys J. Gordon Rudd, Jr. at 800.755.0098 or click here to fill out an online case review.