Short Circuit Defibrillator

[Sharon Binder Contributor-in-Training Find all posts View Profile Close Sharon Binder]

Hi - read an article in Orange County Register, 5/25/05, regarding flawed defibrillator. Originated with NY Times by Barry Meier. Very interesting - seems Guidant Corp. didn't tell doctors or patients for 3 years that defibrillator has flaw that causes it to short circuit. When Medtronics received fewer complaints regarding a battery that drained too quickly, they notified doctors of problems. Dr. Barry Maron was quoted in the article. Hopefully you can access the article at Orange County Register, California, website, article "Flaw in heart device kept from doctors". If not the OC Register, maybe the NY Times but I don't know the exact title of their article. Looking forward to seeing some of you at the Convention. I'm really looking forward to attending my first one. Sharon Binder

[Linda Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Linda]

Sharon, Looking forward to seeing you too.

There are a few other threads on this topic. The situation has lead to some very tragic consequences. I pray for strength for the family and friends. Linda

[Sarah Brave Heart Find all posts View Profile Close Sarah]

already posted

Lisa posted the story here:
http://forum.4hcm.org/viewtopic.php?...hlight=guidant

[Sharon Binder Contributor-in-Training Find all posts View Profile Close Sharon Binder]

Explaining what HCM really is

Thanks - I just read all the info on our site - very interesting and very scary. I'm glad I have an open discussion policy with my cardiologists. I was recently hospitalized and had my pacemaker checked. The Medtronic rep was also there and he was explaining to another rep what the cardiologist was testing and what results they were looking for. Then he proceeded to discuss "IHSS", what it was and its symptoms. I decided then and there to give both reps a lesson - It's now called HCM and his description of the disease was incorrect. When I had finished my explanation, the cardiologist congratulated me on a job well done. See you all soon.

[Sarah Brave Heart Find all posts View Profile Close Sarah]

I am at turns delighted and dismayed to be educating medical professionals about HCM. I wouldn't have minded educating sales reps, but when the cardiologist on call in the ER you are visiting tells you (in 2002, no less) that chest pain is not a symptom of HCM, it is a pain in the neck.

My husband once asked about Lanoxin in front of the doctor suggesting it, and the entire entourage of grand rounds plus some big shot visiting MD PhD. I gave him the history, chemistry, typical uses and side effects of it whle the doctors stood agog.

It is a shame more patients are not better educated as well.

But Guidant should be ashamed of themselves. I will never purchase a Guidant product, ever, and will be recommending Medtronic to anyone who asks me.

[progers Major Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close progers]

Oh yes.....

I have encountered numerous doctors who have no clue about HOCM. One doctor in my local ER tried to tell me that most HOCM patients usually end up dying. I put him straight immediately, saying that, in fact, only a small minority of people with HOCM or HCM, end up dying from the disease. He said that "if this happened 10 years ago you would be dead by now" Outrageous!

Just thought I'd get that off my chest!

Take care all,

Paul

[Sarah Brave Heart Find all posts View Profile Close Sarah]

That is awful. Why are doctors so stupid about their bedside manner?

And even ten years ago, at least in the US, we had ICDs and cardioversion. and myectomy. jeez. What a dolt.

S