Medtronic Heart Lead Recalls

Defibrillator lead wires in the Medtronic Sprint Fidelis are likely to fracture or break, which may result in unnecessary electrical shock or complete device failure.

You or a loved one may have received implantation with this defibrillator type; thus, it is crucial to learn more about this potentially fatal, hazardous defect and subsequent Medtronic heart lead recalls.

Medtronic Sprint Fidelis leads are estimated to be approximately 270,000 globally; the United States comprise over 170,000 of defibrillator implants.

With Medtronic heart lead recalls, the following model numbers may appear on your information card:

• Model 6930

• Model 6931
• Model 6948
• Model 6949


Many individuals may experience heart lead issues.

Initially, the estimates place the amount of individuals who will experience lead issues at about 4,000 to 5,000 in the first 30 months.

The estimates of Sprint Fidelis of all users is over 2% in the number of patients.

Patients sustaining lead fracture from Sprint Fidelis products have three likely outcomes:

The implantable defibrillator begins to beep, which makes the patient quite fortunate, urging the individual to seek out prompt medical attention.

The lead fracture can result in colossal electrical shock. This can result in critical and sudden chest pain.

The most disturbing and third outcome is that the fracture can result in the depletion of the battery of the Medtronic defibrillator.


The defibrillator, during the occurrence of this event, may not be able to offer the required shock to save a life to the heart.

Naturally, this can be quite fatal.

A global manufacturer of medical products, the annual sales of Medtronic are more than $12 billion.

Medtronic Sprint Fidelis is the largest supplier of devices for the heart, such as defibrillators and pacemakers.

In the Medtronic Sprint Fidelis defibrillator, the lead wires were designed, more than the traditional wires, to be thinner to ensure easier insertion.

A fracture or break in the wire can result in a misreading of the data of the heart rhythm.

Surgical removal risks involved are considered to be less risky than actually leaving in place the device.

It’s true that lead problems of Medtronic carry a major risk, but experts do not recommend whatsoever the removal of any of the wires.


Naturally, leaving the likely defective wire in place presents less risk than the removal of lead from veins to the heart which transport it.

The build of the scar tissue is the reason behind this after the initial implant around the lead; this may even increase any risk of damage to the muscle of the heart, or if the wire is removed, the risk of tear in the vein.

Medtronic heart lead recalls were previously the result of defibrillator systems in 2005, as well as during the 1980s and a another time in 1991.

If you or a loved one may be eligible to receive full compensation if someone has a Medtronic Sprint Fidelis defibrillator.

Contact us for a free consultation or call Anzalone Law Firm PLLC, at: 603.548.3797.