Thousands may face tough decisions if their Medtronic Defibrillator wire fails

By Harvey Kirk
Posted November 27, 2007

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Approximately 235,000 individuals have one of the recently recalled Medtronic defibrillator wires implanted in their chest.  According to initial estimates, about 4,000 to 5,000 people could have their lead fracture or break.  However, experts are not recommending that doctors replace Medtronic defibrillator leads which have been recalled, as the risks associated with attempting to remove the lead from the vein that carries it to the heart could outweigh the risk of a lead failure.

>>INFORMATION: Medtronic Defibrillator Wire Recall

After the October 15, 2007 recall, Medtronic began sending letters out to individuals who received one of their Sprint Fidelis defibrillator wires.  The company attempted to reassure their customers by stressing the low overall fracture rate and indicating doctors can reprogram the defibrillator to help discover a fracture before the defibrillator fails.  The device can be set to test for abnormalities in resistance of the lead or other electrical functions which could be signs or signals of a potential Medtronic lead failure.

Unfortunately, even if close medical monitoring discovers a possible fracture before the defibrillator fails, this may not reduce the risk of serious injury or death.  Early discovery could prevent unnecessary electrical jolts or failure of the device, but individuals will still face risks associated with attempting to replace the Medtronic wire, run a new lead or disable the defibrillator.

Attempting to replace defibrillator wires once they have been in place for a period of time is a very risk procedure.  Scar tissue forms around the wire, which could result in torn veins or damage to the heart muscle if an attempt is made to remove the defibrillator lead.  It is also risky to attempt to place a new lead in the vein to connect the defibrillator to the heart, and disabling the device is not a viable option for individuals who were given the defibrillator because they are at risk for sudden cardiac death.

MEDTRONIC DEFIBRILLATOR WIRE LAWSUITS

The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent individuals nationwide who have had one of the Sprint Fidelis leads implanted.  Even if evidence of a fracture has not been detected, individuals may be entitled to compensation through a Medtronic law suit.  To determine if you, a friend or family member may qualify for a claim, request a free consultation and case evaluation.