Medtronic Pacemaker Problems: Kappa and Sigma Pacemaker Failures

Austin Kirk

By Austin Kirk
Posted May 20, 2009

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Approximately 37,000 Medtronic pacemakers that are implanted in patients may contain a wiring defect that could cause them to malfunction and fail. The product liability lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. currently represent clients who are pursuing lawsuits against Medtronic over their faulty defibrillator leads that were recalled in 2007, and potential Medtronic pacemaker lawsuits are being reviewed as a result of these new problems.

Medtronic issued a warning to doctors after receiving reports of at least two patient deaths.

Approximately 2% of all Medtronic Kappa 600, 7000 and 900 series pacemakers and Medtronic Sigma 100, 200 and 300 series pacemakers could be defective and experience a problem with the internal circuitry.

Wires that connect the electronic circuit to other components in the pacemaker, such as the battery or connector, could separate resulting in potential loss of rate response, premature battery failure, loss of telemetry or no output. This could cause return of bradycardia symptoms or potentially result in death or serious injury.

Medtronic has notified doctors that there is no testing that can predict whether one of their pacemakers may fail and no device re-programming can reduce the risk.

Symptoms of lightheadedness or fainting could be potential signs of a Medtronic pacemaker malfunction, and patients have been urged to seek immediate medical attention if they experience any problems.

The Medtronic Sigma and Kappa pacemakers were primarily manufactured between November 2000 and November 2002 and have an estimated average remaining life of between 1.2 years and 3.8 years depending on the model.

MEDTRONIC PACEMAKER LAWSUIT

Registered patients with the potentially defective Medtronic pacemakers will be notified by letter dated May 27, 2009. To determine if a specific serial number for a Sigma or Kappa pacemaker is impacted by these problems visit KappaSigmaSNList.medtronic.com.

If you, a friend or family member have one of the potentially defective pacemakers, contact our lawyers to request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

9 Comments • Add Your Comments

  • Tim says:

    The City has an employee that has a permanent pacemaker. What are the conerns/effects of having an employee with a pacemaker in a workplace where there is frequent exposure to electromagnetic fields?
    This gentleman was declined Long Term Disability benefits through our insurance carrier much to our suprise. The City is not only concerned with this individuals health but also has an obligation to protect the City from a liability point of view.

    Posted on November 13, 2009 at 12:22 pm

  • Walter says:

    I asked the nurse to give me the model number of the Medtronic pacemaker that would be used on me in January. She said that the decision is made at the time of the operation. How can this be true?

    Posted on December 6, 2009 at 9:15 am

  • REBECCA says:

    I HAVE AN ICD DEVICE AND WHENEVER I AM AT MY CARDOLOGIST IT SHOWS THAT I AM FULL OF FLUID. SO MY CARDIO/ELECTRO DR. SENT ME TO A NEPHRO DR. AND HE HAD LABS DONE WHICH SHOWED THAT MY KIDNEYS FUNCTION JUST AS THEY SHOULD. SO MY CARDIO DR SENT ME FOR A CHEST X-RAY TO VERIFY IF FLUID WAS IN MY LUNGS………IT CAME BACK NEGATIVE. BUT, MY MEDTRONIC PACEMAKER STILL SHOWS WHEN BEING MONITORED THAT I STILL HAVE FLUID. WHAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM????? MY PACEMAKER INFO IS AS FOLLOWS………INPLANT DATE….AUGUST 25, 2009

    Posted on February 16, 2012 at 10:34 pm

  • larry says:

    i had a medtronic kappa 700 dr implanted jan 27 2005. on july 2nd 2012 my pacemaker was checked and had 4.2 volts left .approximently five months of battery.on july 21st 2012 it went in reserve mode ..on july 23 i was admitted to the hosptial my pace maker reserve mode was not keeping my heart working right ,,on july 24th the pasemaker was changed ,,the drs could not understand why the battery went so quick and why the reserve mode was not working properly heart was in third degree heart block ..

    Posted on July 29, 2012 at 1:26 am

  • Joyce says:

    My best friend is currently in the hospital because on Saturday her Metronics Pacemaker shocked her 3 times. According to the medical professionals The 3rd shock should have killed her because she has burns down her legs etc. the Xrays reveal that the lead wires are so messed up they all have to be removed and replaced. Pacemaker and all! The worst part is that this will be her 5th pacemaker…Metronic of course and she’s only 46. This surgery is dangerous and since she has been getting these pacemakers she hasn’t been able to work or attend school because they keep malfunctioning. When does she get a life and will she live through this surgery? Only God knows but even her Dr feels that it’s time that Metronic pays for all of her suffering and I couldn’t agree more!

    Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:46 am

  • shawna says:

    Hi Everyone I am 40 years old and already had 2 heart surgerys , first one was in 2005 i was given a pigs valve , in 2010 I had another surgery the pigs valve was growing into my arota so they had to cut which gave me a block , so now i have a metal valve and a pacemaker , but there are times i smell things burning and it be nothing around the house and my breath would be hot , and i have lots of fluids in my lungs , I wanted to know if anyone else has had any issue like this , and im way past due for my checkup but they call 3 days before my appt and say they have to cancel it and make another one

    Posted on November 27, 2012 at 10:31 pm

  • stephanie says:

    I need a help with my mother and having s pace maker and to see if it was malfunctioned

    Posted on December 20, 2013 at 7:27 pm

  • B BENJAMIN says:

    I have a pace maker that was put in 1/02/14 and would like to know if it is good or bad

    Posted on January 21, 2014 at 4:47 pm

  • patricia says:

    i had a Medtronic pacemaker put in 2017 august 16. come to find out the wire has broke in my vein. can’t get it out there is a 50 50 change I make it my heart was working only 35% so in oct 2018 put another paccemanker and defilibalatior in me. I am worried about the wire they cant get out . I need help its not working right now

    Posted on May 15, 2019 at 10:14 pm

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