Sprint Fidelis defibrillation leads made by Medtronic Inc have been removed from the market, due to five patient deaths linked to these devices, as well as other serious complications caused to patients.
A defibrillator is used to regulate a person’s heartbeat. When it senses an abnormal heart rhythm, it then delivers an electronic shock to reset the heart to a normal beat. If there is a fracture in the lead, it can cause the defibrillator to send unnecessary shocks to the heart, or fail to work at all.
Approximately 268,000 people worldwide have had the Sprint Fidelis lead implanted. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is recommending that patients who have had the Sprint Fidelis lead implanted should immediately contact their physician. Symptoms to be especially concerned with are lightheadedness, fainting, palpitations, or multiple shocks.
According to Medtronic, these are the models of Sprint Fidelis leads that have been recalled:
Sprint Fidelis 6930 Sprint Fidelis 6931 Sprint Fidelis 6948 Sprint Fidelis 6949
Other companies which manufacture defibrillators, such as Guidant, Boston Scientific, and St. Jude, may have also used the Sprint Fidelis lead to connect their defibrillators.
If you or a loved one has an implanted defibrillator that utilizes a recalled Medtronic Sprint Fidelis lead, please contact your physician right away. And, contact the Seattle personal injury attorneys at Bernard & Lindquist today.