The Medtronic Lawyers of Williams Kherker

Removal of Defibrillators is a Dangerous Process

If you have been implanted with a Medtronic defibrillator, you may be eager to have the device removed after the national recall was released. While the FDA and Medtronic do not recommend the removal of a defibrillator that has not shown signs of defects, it should be no surprise to them that patients with recalled units would be eager to have the device removed as soon as possible. The argument against removal is that the removal process can be very dangerous and studies have shown that between 2% and 7% of surgeries involving defibrillators result in death. The removal process is often complicated because the tissues of the heart sometimes begin to grow around the leads and other parts of the device.

Medtronic and the FDA recommend leaving your implanted defibrillator alone unless you begin to experience the symptoms of a defective unit. Of the 268,000 units implanted before the defect was found, 2.3% of patients have experienced the painful shocks associated with the recall.

The argument for having the device removed before symptoms occur is fueled by patients who do not want to suffer the pain and other dangerous effects of a defective defibrillator. If you are concerned about your defibrillator, consult a doctor to receive the appropriate medical advice. Choosing whether or not to have your defibrillator removed is completely up to each individual patient.

If you have experienced the painful effects of a defective defibrillator, Contact an attorney immediately to learn more about your legal rights. Expensive medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and many more damages may have occurred as a result of your defective defibrillator. There is no need to suffer financially, physically, or even emotionally if the damages were caused by a negligent manufacturer. The Medtronic Lawyers of Williams Kherker have extensive experience representing victims of defective Medtronic defibrillators and will work to ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve. Contact the Medtronic Lawyers today by calling 800-761-3187.