Boston Scientific recently
provided physicians with important product advisory information regarding the
CONTAK RENEWAL 3/4 and VITALITY® families of implantable defibrillators.
Some Boston
Scientific defibrillators include a switch designed to sense the presence of a
magnet. In emergency situations or during a medical/surgical procedure, a
health care provider may apply a magnet to the skin surface just over the
implanted device, which will temporarily prevent delivery of undesired shock
therapy. When the magnet is removed, shock therapy will once again be available
if needed.
In rare
instances, application of a magnet (typically in a clinic/hospital environment)
may cause this switch to become permanently stuck, preventing delivery of
programmed shock therapy even when the magnet is removed. No patients have been
harmed by this behavior, but some have required device replacement. Boston
Scientific estimates the probability of patient harm to be less than one in one
million over a five year device service life.
Here’s what patients can
do:
Be sure and keep scheduled device follow-up
appointments,
Discuss the advisory with their medical providers(s),
As always, contact their heart clinic, or go to the
hospital emergency room immediately if they hear beeping tones from their
device.
Click to view the complete Boston Scientific physician advisory.
Sudden arrhythmia
death syndromes (SADS) are genetic heart conditions that can cause sudden death
in young, apparently healthy people. These conditions can be treated and deaths
can be prevented. Warning Signs: family history
of unexpected, unexplained sudden death under age 40; fainting or seizure during exercise,
excitement or startle; consistent or unusual chest pain &/or shortness of
breath during exercise.
