Guidant Corp. voluntarily recalled nearly 50,000 of its cardiac defibrillators worldwide because of potential malfunctions in the devices.

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Guidant Corporation recalled most of its Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators on June 17 th due to potentially fatal malfunctions that could threaten the lives of 38,000 patients in the United States. There have been reports of failure in 45 units and at least two deaths attributed to these devices since May 30 th. Guidant recalled the following models of cardiac defibrillators:

• Prizm 2 DR
• Contak Renewal and Contak Renewal 2
• Ventak Prizm AVT
• Vitality AVT
• Renewal 3 AVT and Renewal 4 AVT ICDs

Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators are small machines doctors implant in patients to provide electrical stimulation should the heart develop an irregular beat called an arrhythmia. This heartbeat can rapidly progress into a condition called fibrillation, a type of muscle spasm of the heart that prevents blood from circulating through out the body. The ICD recognizes this condition and provides electrical stimulation to shock the heart into the correct rhythm.

Unfortunately some ICDs manufactured by Guidant have a seal that could fail and allow moisture to leak into the unit, potentially causing it to short out. Also some models have a flaw in the memory programs that could possibly prevent them from recognizing an arrhythmia.

Further compounding these findings was the fact that Guidant knew of several of the problems with their devices but waited and hoped that newer models would correct the oversights of earlier versions.

The Food and Drug Administration agreed with Guidant’s decision to recall the devices but would wait and see if a general recall was necessary.

If you or someone you know has a Guidant brand defibrillator contact your medical professional immediately. Serious complications such as an arrhythmia can develop at anytime without warning. Once you have protected your health, take action against irresponsible companies who put their profits ahead of your safety. Contact a lawyer in your area, and make a stand today!

The Law Firms of Steigerwalt & Associates and Provost * Umphrey have joined forces to help victims of serious injury and death as a result of defective and recalled Guidant defibrillators and pacemakers throughout the country. Our firms have spent many years successfully helping injured people and their families with mass tort and defective product cases around the U.S. We are dedicated to pursuing justice for our clients and fighting for the rights of the injured. Together our law firms can help you - regardless of where you live.