Comments on: Medtronic recall issued due to defibrillator lead problems raises questions for many http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/01/02/medtronic-recall-defibrillator-problems/ Malpractice, Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:38:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Brooke http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/01/02/medtronic-recall-defibrillator-problems/#comment-1230 Brooke Sat, 13 Aug 2011 22:41:42 +0000 http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/01/02/medtronic-recall-defibrillator-problems/#comment-1230 My device was installed in Aug 2006. I was 30 years old. I went in last week to have the battery (device) changed and during the procedure my lead (A RECALLED LEAD) Fractured. I was never informed about this lead being recalled. I (nor my doctor) had any idea it was a recall lead. The risk was too great to remove the bad lead or put a new one in. I now have a new defib device that is not even turned on. I am looking at many dangerous surgeries to remove the fractured lead and implant a new one, not to mention the constant worry that the fractured lead will dislodge or worse yet that I might need my device and it is not turned on............does anyone know what I can do to get some help? My device was installed in Aug 2006. I was 30 years old. I went in last week to have the battery (device) changed and during the procedure my lead (A RECALLED LEAD) Fractured.

I was never informed about this lead being recalled. I (nor my doctor) had any idea it was a recall lead. The risk was too great to remove the bad lead or put a new one in. I now have a new defib device that is not even turned on. I am looking at many dangerous surgeries to remove the fractured lead and implant a new one, not to mention the constant worry that the fractured lead will dislodge or worse yet that I might need my device and it is not turned on…………does anyone know what I can do to get some help?

]]> By: marcus http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/01/02/medtronic-recall-defibrillator-problems/#comment-1229 marcus Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:07:15 +0000 http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/01/02/medtronic-recall-defibrillator-problems/#comment-1229 I got my ICD put in 2006. on 11-22-09, at work I was shocked 9 times before they turned it off in the emergency room. they told me lead falure. The shocks did not cause any health issues, but just scared the hell out of me.They replaced the lead and ICD. I am only 40 and in good shape. I do 3 miles of brisk walk a day and medication. My heart has made some improvements. do not be affaid of the ICD because it may save your life some day. I meet people who had the ICD for years and had problems with it, they are still alive; and some the ICD saved his or her life. Please enjoy your life, ask god for peace, then you will be alright. God bless you all and Merry Christmas 12/04/09 I got my ICD put in 2006. on 11-22-09, at work I was shocked 9 times before they turned it off in the emergency room. they told me lead falure. The shocks did not cause any health issues, but just scared the hell out of me.They replaced the lead and ICD. I am only 40 and in good shape. I do 3 miles of brisk walk a day and medication. My heart has made some improvements. do not be affaid of the ICD because it may save your life some day. I meet people who had the ICD for years and had problems with it, they are still alive; and some the ICD saved his or her life. Please enjoy your life, ask god for peace, then you will be alright. God bless you all and Merry Christmas 12/04/09

]]> By: Joy http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/01/02/medtronic-recall-defibrillator-problems/#comment-1228 Joy Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:35:10 +0000 http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/01/02/medtronic-recall-defibrillator-problems/#comment-1228 I'm 33 & have had 4 ICD's since 2004. The first one, the lead didn't take, secound one, it was suppose to go off, but didn't. The third one, woke me up at 4am shocking me. Worst feeling ever!!! It shocked me 36 times before they could turn it off. My head has never been so mest up, until this happened. So, I wounder if I would be able to call 911 while this thing shocks me. Will my phone blow up when I get shocked? I know the EMT's felt me get shocked. And driving or just being in public and have this thing shock me again. Getting shocked by a life saving device for no reason is the most tramatic thing for anyone to go through. Good luck to everyone that has one of these devices. I’m 33 & have had 4 ICD’s since 2004. The first one, the lead didn’t take, secound one, it was suppose to go off, but didn’t. The third one, woke me up at 4am shocking me. Worst feeling ever!!! It shocked me 36 times before they could turn it off. My head has never been so mest up, until this happened.

So, I wounder if I would be able to call 911 while this thing shocks me. Will my phone blow up when I get shocked? I know the EMT’s felt me get shocked. And driving or just being in public and have this thing shock me again. Getting shocked by a life saving device for no reason is the most tramatic thing for anyone to go through. Good luck to everyone that has one of these devices.

]]> By: Mavis http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/01/02/medtronic-recall-defibrillator-problems/#comment-1227 Mavis Thu, 21 May 2009 19:25:56 +0000 http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/01/02/medtronic-recall-defibrillator-problems/#comment-1227 My husband had a Medtronic defibrillator put in Dec 08 March of this year he had to go back in because of a blip coming up on his monitor. So after a 270 mile trip back to the hospital, they installed a new unit. It seems their was a problem with the lead in the other wich could have produced a shock, of course we wouldnt have known if the shock was from the faulty lead or a real heart problem. Now this is two hospital stays, and we have to pay $500 deductable for the Dec 08 visit and now the Mar 09 visit another $500 deduct. We cant afford this everytime their is a problem. When I called Medtronic to inquire what there responsibility was, I was told they would re-view the case if it was indeed their product was at fault. In other words "dont call us we will call you" I am worried when my husband drives, he is 81 ,if he has a shock will he be capable of pulling off the road? Wow! all this is really bad. My husband had a Medtronic defibrillator put in Dec 08 March of this year he had to go back in because of a blip coming up on his monitor. So after a 270 mile trip back to the hospital, they installed a new unit. It seems their was a problem with the lead in the other wich could have produced a shock, of course we wouldnt have known if the shock was from the faulty lead or a real heart problem. Now this is two hospital stays, and we have to pay $500 deductable for the Dec 08 visit and now the Mar 09 visit another $500 deduct. We cant afford this everytime their is a problem. When I called Medtronic to inquire what there responsibility was, I was told they would re-view the case if it was indeed their product was at fault. In other words “dont call us we will call you” I am worried when my husband drives, he is 81 ,if he has a shock will he be capable of pulling off the road? Wow! all this is really bad.

]]> By: james http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/01/02/medtronic-recall-defibrillator-problems/#comment-1226 james Thu, 21 May 2009 16:49:24 +0000 http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/01/02/medtronic-recall-defibrillator-problems/#comment-1226 what are the alternative treatments?can't get a straight answer from the electro guys who want to make 40k a pop. does vt qualify for a must implant of a device? what are the alternative treatments?can’t get a straight answer from the electro guys who want to make 40k a pop. does vt qualify for a must implant of a device?

]]> By: desiree http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/01/02/medtronic-recall-defibrillator-problems/#comment-1225 desiree Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:50:21 +0000 http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/01/02/medtronic-recall-defibrillator-problems/#comment-1225 i am 29 years old and had a defibrillator placed in me when i was 28,,after nine heart stents placed in.ever since i got this thing placed in me i've had nothing but trouble.fisrst it got infected then began to shock me.i talked to the dr who just says everything is fine just keep monitoring it.i'm to youg to have this on my mind,,it worries me daily and greatly affects my life and future. i am 29 years old and had a defibrillator placed in me when i was 28,,after nine heart stents placed in.ever since i got this thing placed in me i’ve had nothing but trouble.fisrst it got infected then began to shock me.i talked to the dr who just says everything is fine just keep monitoring it.i’m to youg to have this on my mind,,it worries me daily and greatly affects my life and future.

]]> By: Diane http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/01/02/medtronic-recall-defibrillator-problems/#comment-1224 Diane Thu, 12 Feb 2009 23:02:48 +0000 http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/01/02/medtronic-recall-defibrillator-problems/#comment-1224 My dad had a defective defibrillator so it was 'repaired'. Now there is some sort of concern about the battery being to strong for the pacemaker - so basically if it goes off, due to the power, he would die??? Does anyone know anything about this concern that seems to be cropping up? My dad had a defective defibrillator so it was ‘repaired’. Now there is some sort of concern about the battery being to strong for the pacemaker – so basically if it goes off, due to the power, he would die??? Does anyone know anything about this concern that seems to be cropping up?

]]> By: Cathy http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/01/02/medtronic-recall-defibrillator-problems/#comment-1223 Cathy Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:47:32 +0000 http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/01/02/medtronic-recall-defibrillator-problems/#comment-1223 I have had the PaceMaker/Defib for almost 3 years I recieved a letter from Medtronic about the lead fracture possibility. They made it sound like it was a slight chance but to contact my heart spec.. I did, they also treated it as, just come by at your convenience and we will check it, it won't take 2 minutes. I did that on an occasion a few weeks later when I was near the office. My doctors were in surgery, so I said I would come back. Before I could get back in, early on a Monday morning about 5:30 a.m. I was awaken by this kick in my chest that made me feel as if I had been struck by lightening from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. (I knew what had happened, because I had that experience on one other occasion, as soon as I could gather myself enough I leaned over to pick up my phone by the bed, it happened again. I had a very hard time even pushing the buttons on my phone to call my daughter, She said I will be right there. I tried to get up and it happened 2 more times, I was terrified and I knew I could not go by car, I thought I was dying right there in my bed. It happened two more times. I tried very hard to call the ambulance, I could barely speak I felt as if the life was just going out of my body, they could not understand me, finally i could not even hold the phone. The firemen and my daughter arrived together, of course she was just terrified. The ambulance shortly after. They rushed me to the closest hospital. Once there, we tried multiple times to give my Medtronic card to them, which did not matter to them. (They are supposed to call Medtronic as soon as a person arrives) After conferring with my heart doctor they determined that it was more than likely a fractured lead, and then called Medtronic who came within a half hour and turned it off. So I was in the ER about 6 hours before it was turned off. I feel that this is a very serious problem and is a very tramatic experience, 6 months since that horrible morning I still have what i refer to as night terrors and I am jarred out of a deep sleep thinking it is happening again. It is so real, there have been times I have called my daughter and she has come back to stay with me the rest of the night. This is not an easy fix. My doctor was very sympathetic the first visit and we had surgery the next day, he even said he wasn't even going to charge me, he felt so bad for what I had been through. Well I do not know what he did not charge me for because I have been billed for every single thing anyone has even thought I needed done. I sure hope this has been helpful to someone, I would never want this to happen to another. Merry Christmas to everyone. I have had the PaceMaker/Defib for almost 3 years I recieved a letter from Medtronic about the lead fracture possibility. They made it sound like it was a slight chance but to contact my heart spec.. I did, they also treated it as, just come by at your convenience and we will check it, it won’t take 2 minutes. I did that on an occasion a few weeks later when I was near the office. My doctors were in surgery, so I said I would come back. Before I could get back in, early on a Monday morning about 5:30 a.m. I was awaken by this kick in my chest that made me feel as if I had been struck by lightening from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. (I knew what had happened, because I had that experience on one other occasion, as soon as I could gather myself enough I leaned over to pick up my phone by the bed, it happened again. I had a very hard time even pushing the buttons on my phone to call my daughter, She said I will be right there. I tried to get up and it happened 2 more times, I was terrified and I knew I could not go by car, I thought I was dying right there in my bed. It happened two more times. I tried very hard to call the ambulance, I could barely speak I felt as if the life was just going out of my body, they could not understand me, finally i could not even hold the phone. The firemen and my daughter arrived together, of course she was just terrified. The ambulance shortly after. They rushed me to the closest hospital. Once there, we tried multiple times to give my Medtronic card to them, which did not matter to them. (They are supposed to call Medtronic as soon as a person arrives) After conferring with my heart doctor they determined that it was more than likely a fractured lead, and then called Medtronic who came within a half hour and turned it off. So I was in the ER about 6 hours before it was turned off. I feel that this is a very serious problem and is a very tramatic experience, 6 months since that horrible morning I still have what i refer to as night terrors and I am jarred out of a deep sleep thinking it is happening again. It is so real, there have been times I have called my daughter and she has come back to stay with me the rest of the night. This is not an easy fix. My doctor was very sympathetic the first visit and we had surgery the next day, he even said he wasn’t even going to charge me, he felt so bad for what I had been through. Well I do not know what he did not charge me for because I have been billed for every single thing anyone has even thought I needed done. I sure hope this has been helpful to someone, I would never want this to happen to another. Merry Christmas to everyone.

]]> By: burn http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/01/02/medtronic-recall-defibrillator-problems/#comment-1222 burn Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:49:33 +0000 http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/01/02/medtronic-recall-defibrillator-problems/#comment-1222 Such was the case with my father. The pacemaker was going wonky, perhaps because it had 2 leads and one of the leads did not connect properly and was hanging. Anyways it would pace up to 300bpm. After being treated by ambulance twice, they installed a defib. in him instead of replacing the faulty pacemaker. The defib. failed to work after 3 years. NOTE: after the install of the difib. his health steadily declined. When a electro/mechanical part is broken it should be replaced, not monitored and controlled by another electro/mechanical part. He has passed away. The machinery was a waste of time and great pain to him. Such was the case with my father. The pacemaker was going wonky, perhaps because it had 2 leads and one of the leads did not connect properly and was hanging. Anyways it would pace up to 300bpm. After being treated by ambulance twice, they installed a defib. in him instead of replacing the faulty pacemaker. The defib. failed to work after 3 years. NOTE: after the install of the difib. his health steadily declined. When a electro/mechanical part is broken it should be replaced, not monitored and controlled by another electro/mechanical part. He has passed away. The machinery was a waste of time and great pain to him.

]]> By: JJG http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/01/02/medtronic-recall-defibrillator-problems/#comment-1221 JJG Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:44:33 +0000 http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/01/02/medtronic-recall-defibrillator-problems/#comment-1221 I'd like my ICD removed and the leads capped. Any chance? I’d like my ICD removed and the leads capped. Any chance?

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