| How do defibrillators work? | | | | likely to cause internal damage and burns. |
| A defibrillator is a medical device used to correct | | | | |
| irregular heart beat patterns, otherwise known as | | | | What are the risks associated with using a |
| cardiac arrhythmias. Cardiac arrhythmias are caused | | | | defibrillator? |
| by abnormal electrical activity in the heart, | | | | Although defibrillators can save lives, defectively |
| characterized by irregular contractions. Many | | | | designed defibrillators can cause a great deal of |
| arrhythmias are often common and benign, most | | | | damage and even lead to death. Studies show that |
| often described as feeling your heart skip a beat. | | | | defective Sprint Fidelis leads in Medtronic's implantable |
| Other arrhythmias, however, can interrupt the normal | | | | defibrillator are prone to fracture, causing the units to |
| flow of blood, causing vital organs such as the brain | | | | release powerful shocks at random. These shocks |
| to lose oxygen and suffocate. If left untreated, | | | | may cause intense pain, anxiety, and even death for |
| these arrhythmias can be deadly in very short | | | | people with implanted units. |
| periods of time. Defibrillators are most commonly | | | | If you or a loved one has been implanted with a |
| used to treat two very dangerous types of | | | | Medtronic defibrillator with Sprint Fidelis leads, contact |
| arrhythmias: ventricular fibrillation, or 'V-fiB,' and | | | | an attorney immediately to discuss your legal options. |
| ventricular tachycardia, or 'V-tach.' | | | | A skilled attorney will be able to evaluate your case |
| Today, defibrillators can be portable units placed in | | | | and provide you with the legal assistance you need |
| ambulances, automated units placed in a public area, | | | | to navigate the complex litigation process. The |
| or even an implantable unit placed directly into a | | | | outcomes of using a defective Medtronic defibrillator |
| patient's body. No matter the style of defibrillator, | | | | may cause you to struggle financially, emotionally, and |
| the treatment remains the same. Applying a quick, | | | | physically. There is no reason to face the hardships |
| high-voltage, direct-current charge to the patient's | | | | associated with defective products when your |
| chest, allows a defibrillator to disrupt abnormal | | | | situation was caused by a poorly manufactured or |
| rhythms and prompt the heart to resume its normal | | | | defective product. Manufacturers are often found |
| rhythm. Despite the power of the shock that a | | | | liable for injuries caused by their products and an |
| defibrillator supplies, technological advances have | | | | experienced attorney will be able to help you |
| created lower-energy shocks which are much less | | | | organize the most effective lawsuit possible. |