What exactly is the defect with the Medtronic heart lead?
Medtronic has not disclosed the precise reason why its Sprint Fidelis leads are fracturing. In a “Dear Doctor” letter from March 2007 it claimed the technique used by surgeons during implantation may be responsible for the fracturing over time. In lawsuits filed by heart patients represented by Lieff Cabraser, the plaintiffs allege that the defect is attributable to the small diameter of the coil and conductors in the lead which makes it prone to stress damage both during and after implant surgery. Fracture eventually occurs when the conductor is critically overstressed.
