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Medtronic Recall News |
| Date Added: February 08, 2010 04:39:46 AM |
| Author: John Davidson |
| Category: News & Media: Law |
| Following the 2007 Medtronic recall news of the potential fracture of their Sprint Fidelis leads patients and families have been concerned about their options and learning more information about the defibrillator implant procedure. An implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a device used to regulate the heartbeat of patients with life threatening heart conditions. Implanted in the chest, with wires that connect to the heart, the ICD monitors the heartbeat to make sure it is not too fast or too erratic. If that does happen, the ICD provides an electric shock that helps the heart return to a normal rhythm. While medical professionals are confident that the ICD can help prevent sudden cardiac arrest and extend the life of patients prone to irregular heartbeats, living with a defibrillator still requires some adjustments. Immediately after the implantation, patients will feel some soreness at the insertion site, and the doctor may suggest temporary limited movement on that side. Patients should be aware of other restrictions and cautions: Driving: Patients receiving the ICD because of a ventricular arrhythmia are advised not to drive during their first six months with the device. If someone is behind the wheel when suffering an arrhythmia or the resulting electrical shock, they could lose consciousness and control of their vehicle. If after six months, no shocks have occurred, patients may begin driving with their doctor’s approval. People who received the implantation as a preventative measure may be allowed to drive a week after the procedure. Electro/Magnet Interference: Patients with ICDs must use caution around certain devices. People with ICDs should not use power tools such as chain saws or welding tools. Energy from these tools can interfere with the defibrillator, causing the defibrillator to deliver an unnecessary electrical shock. Patients should be careful when passing through airport security systems or being close to power generators because of signal interference. Normal use of a cell phone or microwave should not interfere with the function of the ICD. Continued Medical Care and Defibrillator Maintenance: ICD patients will still need to continue their medical care. They will have follow up visits with their doctor to monitor the ICD. Eventually, the battery in the ICD will need to be replaced. Sometimes, the ICD or one of its parts will need to be repaired or replaced. Talk with your doctor if you have a Medtronic defibrillator using Sprint Fidelis wires or leads. Research has shown that these leads have a higher rate of fracture or breakage. The leads may not be able to monitor the heartbeat effectively and may give shocks unnecessarily, or may not give them when needed. If you are a defibrillator patient with Sprint Fidelis leads, you are encouraged to contact a Medtronic lead recall attorney to discuss your legal options. Mark Johnson is author of this article on Medtronic lead recall. Find more information about Medtronic lawsuits here. |
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