Heart disease is the number one cause of death across the U.S. Luckily, medical device manufacturers have created products to help people suffering from heart disease. But, the effectiveness of these devices is sometimes cause for consideration.
There have been some interesting results from a study of 517 autopsies of people who died from sudden cardiac death. Of those people who died, approximately 4 percent had a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Of those with a cardiac implanted device, over half had a device concern.
It has been suggested that the FDA should improve their surveillance of these devices after they have been on the market. Currently, the FDA plays a passive role in reporting, and problems are not always reported. Plus, the reporting may be inaccurate and untimely. Although active surveillance of a medical device is expensive, problems with cardiac devices are often caught by individuals doing research.
Houston residents deserve the best medical care they can find. Medical devices can be lifesavers, but when medical device companies are not properly monitored, they can release their products too early and with not enough testing. This can result in serious injuries and even unexpected deaths for their patients.
If a family believes a loved one has suffered because of a medical device failure, they may want to speak with a legal professional. An attorney can investigate the circumstances surrounding the injury and determine who is negligent. Compensation may be available for unexpected medical expenses, pain and suffering and other damages.