There are several medical devices used in the health industry to help save lives or to improve the quality of life of millions of individuals. In general, defibrillators are an electrical device used to counteract fibrillation of the heart muscle and restore normal heartbeat by applying a brief electric shock. Implanted cardio-defibrillators ICDs are used to shock the heart into normal rhythm after a patient suffers ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, which are rapid, life-threatening arrhythmias originating in the lower chambers of the heart.
Guidant Failed to Disclose Known Flaws in its Defibrillators for Three Years
Guidant came under fire in the spring of 2005 after The New York Times reported that it failed to alert doctors and heart patients about a potential problem with the VENTAK PRIZM DR model defibrillator.
Since then, Guidant has admitted to knowing of malfunctions in its ICDs for three years but has continued to sell the defective ICDs, allowing them to be surgically implanted in patients, knowing that these patients were at risk for device failures that could lead to severe complications including death.
The New York Times reported that Guidant knew of the defects in a small number of its defibrillators as early as 2002 and yet continued to sell the old models, even though it had corrected the defect and was manufacturing newer models. In addition Guidant didn’t inform doctors and patients of the defect until it knew that the New York Times article would be published.
The FDA Recalls 50,000 Guidant ICDs
The Food and Drug Administration FDA oversees the safety of medical devices and on June 17, 2005, issued a nationwide recall of nearly 50,000 Guidant ICDs. These devices may develop an “internal short circuit without warning,” resulting in failure to deliver a shock when needed and are subject to memory errors. Less than a week later, Guidant issued a second safety advisory informing physicians to cease using five of its ICD models because a defective switch could cause them to malfunction.
Presently, Guidant is responding to Department of Justice administrative subpoenas requesting information related to faulty manufacturing, as well as FDA observations regarding manufacturing and quality control processes. New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer filed suit against Guidant on November 3, 2005, stating, “We wouldnt permit this type of conduct in connection with the sale of cars or washing machines. It is simply unconscionable that it occurred with a critical medical device.”
Devices Subject to FDA Recall
As part of the FDAs oversight of medical devices the Administration has classified three classes of recalls, Class I, II, and III. Class I recalls are the most serious type of recall and indicates that there is a reasonable chance that the product will cause serious health problems or death. The FDA issued a Class I recall of the following Guidant devices:
CONTAK RENEWAL Model H135
CONTAK RENEWAL 2 Model H155
CONTAK RENEWAL 3 AVT Models M150, M155
CONTAK RENEWAL 3 AVT HE Models M157, M159
CONTAK RENEWAL 4 AVT Model M170, M175
CONTAK RENEWAL 4 AVT HE Models M177, M179
VENTAK PRIZM 2 DR Model 1861
VENTAK PRIZM AVT Model 1900
VITALITY AVT Model A135, A155
In a Class II FDA, recall there is a possibility that the device will cause temporary or reversible health problems, or there’s a remote chance that the device will cause serious health problems. The FDA also issued the following Class II recall of the following Guidant devices:
CONTAK RENEWAL 3 Model H170, H173, H175
CONTAK RENEWAL 3 DS HE Model H177
CONTAK RENEWAL 3 HE Model H177, H179
CONTAK RENEWAL 4 Model H190, H195
CONTAK RENEWAL 4 HE Models H197, H199
PRIZM 2 DR Model 1861
RENEWAL RF Model H230, H235
RENEWAL RF HE Model H239
These recalls have been issued because the products pose very serious health risks or death for patients. The FDA is continuing to investigate other defibrillators on the market. Patients who have experienced health problems or injury related to these devices should seek legal help.
About the Author
To learn more about the medical devices, visit http://guidant.legalview.com/. Also use http://www.LegalView.com to learn about other medical devices that may cause defects including the Zimmer Durom cup or learn about the most recent risks associated with Avandia, as well as how to contact an Avandia attorney.