Medtronic introduces Protecta line of ICDs in United States

Found this posting on medgadget blog, describing a new ICD by Medtronic. Introduced in Europe in summer of 2010 it is now cleared for use in the United States.

The Protecta line of ICDs should allow patients who fear inappropriate shocks to breathe a sigh of relief. "Findings from the Virtual ICD study, based on a statistical model, shows that 98 percent of patients with SmartShock Technology will be free of inappropriate shocks one year after implant and 92 percent will be free of inappropriate shocks five years after implant."

Might be worth a discussion with your health care team if your ICD, like my son's and my husband's, is near replacement time!

ICD Wearers: Do you realize how valuable you really are? Technically, I mean...

This article was posted on Facebook today.

It's entitled, "Oops...ICDs Don't Bounce" and is a rather unique look at the value of that little box of magic called an ICD.

(The doctor's blog is worth checking out, by the way!)