FDA Issues Warning Over Phillips Heart Defibrillators

According to the Associated Press, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning the public that certain cardiac defibrillators by Philips Healthcare may fail to deliver needed shock treatment during emergencies.

The defibrillators are used to treat people in emergencies to help restore normal heart function when someone is suffering a heart attack. The FDA said that certain Philips devices have failed to deliver the shock needed to save people, resulting in a recall.

“Philips recalled three models of its HeartStart devices in September 2012 due to an internal electrical malfunction,” the AP reported.

“The recall affects about 700,000 defibrillators sold between 2005 and 2012. The recalled HeartStart FRx and HS1 (OnSite and Home) devices include an electrical part called a resistor that could fail when high voltage is applied, and that could prevent the device from delivering the necessary shock. If the resistor fails, the device will emit an audible triple-chirp alert.”

The FDA said that consumers who have received affected devices should contact Philips to receive a replacement device.

When someone is suffering through a life-threatening emergency like a heart attack, it is unacceptable for a device to fail that could save his or her life.

Our attorneys represent victims of dangerous medical devices and drugs. For more information about this or other defective medical devices, contact our experienced pharmaceutical drug and device attorneys by calling toll-free (888)-841-9623. today.

Zoll, Kranz & Borgess, LLC – Dangerous Medical Device Attorneys

Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/fda-warns-problems-philips-heart-devices-21087674