Risk for Serious Injury If a Medtronic Sprint Fidelis Defibrillator Lead Fractures. Parker Waichman LLP Announces Opening of Dedicated Claims Center To Evaluate Numerous Possible Lawsuits Related to Defective Sprint Fidelis Leads Used With Medtronic Implantable Defibrillators.
(New York) October 24, 2007 – The defective Medtronic Sprint Fidelis Defibrillator Leads were implanted into hundreds of thousands of people, leaving all of them at risk for serious injury if a Sprint Fidelis Lead fractures.
As a result of this, Parker Waichman LLP has opened a dedicated Claims Center within their office to review the potential lawsuits of people who were implanted with defective Sprint Fidelis Leads used with Medtronic defibrillators. Medtronic suspended sales and recalled all unused Sprint Fidelis Leads on October 15, 2007 after receiving reports of at least 5 fatalities linked to lead fractures. Parker Waichman LLP recently filed a lawsuit on behalf of a man who had to undergo a dangerous and life-threatening surgical procedure after a Sprint Fidelis Lead fractured. Parker Waichman LLP is seeking class action status for this lawsuit to represent all persons in the United States who were implanted with defective leads manufactured by Medtronic, Inc.
If you or a loved one received a Sprint Fidelis Lead with a Medtronic implantable defibrillator, please contact our claims center by visiting www.yourlawyer.com. Free case evaluations are also available by calling 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).
wire that is used to attach a Medtronic implantable defibrillator to the heart
The Sprint Fidelis Lead is a wire that is used to attach a Medtronic implantable defibrillator to the heart. The Sprint Fidelis Lead was first introduced by Medtronic in 2004, and has been used with most of the company’s implantable defibrillators since then. This component is used in cardiac defibrillators — or complex devices with defibrillation capacity — and not in conventional pacemakers. Some patients with congestive heart failure use devices that include this defibrillation ability, and those are among the machines that use the Sprint Fidelis Lead.
Medtronic’s Sprint Fidelis Leads have been shown to have a continuing fracture problem. This defect can cause the defibrillators to deliver a massive and painful electrical shock, or it can cause the device to fail to administer a lifesaving shock when necessary. Such defects were discussed in an article written by doctors at The Minneapolis Heart Institute, one of the premier heart institutes in the world. The researchers at the Minneapolis Heart Institute compared data regarding lead failures in both the Sprint Fidelis models and Medtronic’s earlier Sprint Quattro models. The study found the thinner Sprint Fidelis Lead had a higher chance of fracturing than the Sprint Quattro. According to Medtronic’s own estimate, approximately 2.3%, or 4,000 to 5,000 people with a Sprint Fidelis Lead will experience fracture within 30 months of having a defibrillator implanted.
When a Sprint Fidelis Lead fractures, a patient must undergo a surgical procedure that can tear and scar the heart tissue and veins through which the Sprint Fidelis Lead wire runs. The surgery to replace a defibrillator lead wire is far riskier than having the device itself replaced.
About Parker Waichman LLP:
Parker Waichman LLP is a leading products liability and personal injury law firm that represents plaintiffs nationwide. The firm has offices in New York and New Jersey. Parker Waichman LLP has assisted thousands of clients in receiving fair compensation for injuries resulting from defective products, drugs and medical devices.
Need Legal Help Regarding Medtronic Sprint Fidelis Defibrillator?
The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).
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