Guidant Defibrillator Recent News - FindLaw

March 2, 2007: Guidant Lawsuits Grow to 1,175
The number of lawsuits filed in connection with Guidant defibrillators has reached at least 1,175, including as many as 75 class action suits. The information regarding potential liability over Guidant heart devices was made public as part of Boston Scientific's annual company filings, required by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Boston Scientific acquired Guidant Corp. in April of 2006.

September 14, 2006: Guidant Settles Fraud Suit Over Defibrillator
Defibrillator manufacturer Guidant Corp. settled a lawsuit that was scheduled for trial in Texas on September 18, 2006. In the suit, two plaintiffs alleged that Guidant failed to warn patients of the health risks that might be posed by the implanted medical devices. The amount of the settlement was not disclosed. In June 2005, Guidant recalled certain implantable defibrillators due to the risk of an internal short circuit.

July 11, 2006: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Issues Statement on Boston Scientific/Guidant Pacemakers and Defibrillators
The FDA announced its support of Boston Scientific/Guidant's recommendation for physicians to conduct follow-up exams of patients implanted with its pacemaker and defibrillator devices. Boston Scientific/Guidant recently recalled certain devices because of their potential to malfunction. Boston Scientific/Guidant has confirmed five reports of device malfunction among some 27,200 patients worldwide, who have had these devices implanted. Click here to read the full FDA Statement.

November 2, 2005: Guidant Corporation Sued Over Faulty Defibrillator
The People of the State of New York filed suit against Guidant Corporation alleging that Guidant continued to sell faulty defibrillators without warning physicians and patients about the potential dangers. The suit alleges that Guidant discovered a flaw in the Ventak Prizm 2 DR Model 1861 in February 2002, and corrected the flaw in April 2002 and November 2002. The suit alleges that Guidant continued to sell pre-April 2002 devices without notifying physicians and patients about the revisions and the potential dangers associated with the device.

June 17, 2005: FDA Issues Nationwide Notification of Recall of Certain Guidant Defibrillators
The FDA is notifying healthcare providers and patients that the Guidant Corporation is recalling certain of its implantable defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators. These devices can develop an internal short circuit without warning, resulting in failure to deliver a shock when needed. Click here to read the full FDA Statement.