Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
St. Paul, Minn.

Defibrillator patients ask doctors about Medtronic failures

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

People with Medtronic defibrillators got a jolt this week when the company decided to stop distributing the wires that connect the devices to patients' hearts.

Fridley-based Medtronic says a small number of those wires have fractured and may have led to the deaths of five patients. The wires in question have been implanted in over a quarter-million people worldwide. The company estimates 2.3 percent of those patients will experience unnecessary shocks as a result of fractured wires.

MPR's Tom Crann talked to Dr. Steve Hustead, who implants a lot of Medtronic's defibrillation devices and he has been hearing from patients this week.