Olivia Esposito • August 4, 2023
Medtronic ICD Recall

What is the recall : The FDA has issued a Class 1 recall of Medtronic ICDs and CRT-Ds, manufactured after 2017, with a glassed feedthrough.

Who does it affect : This recall affects  only  the following Medtronic ICDs: Cobalt™XT/Cobalt™/Crome™ICDs and CRT-Ds, a subset of: Claria MRI™/Amplia MRI™/Compia MRI™/Viva™/Brava™CRT-Ds, a subset of: Visia AF™/Visia AF MRI™/Evera™/Evera MRI™/Primo MRI™/Mirro MRI™ICDs. 

Why are these devices recalled : These devices were recalled because they may deliver low or no energy output when high voltage therapy is needed. This is due to inappropriate activation of the Short Circuit Protection (SCP) feature.

How to check if it affects me : You can find this information on the device card you received when your device was implanted. You can visit the Medtronic website  here  to look up your device by product name, model or serial number to see if your device is affected.

What should I do if it affects my device : If your device is affected by this recall, you should receive a letter in the mail or a call from your device clinic. If you have not received a letter or call, you can always reach out to your clinic. 

What is being recommended : Medtronic is  not  recommending replacement of these devices.They are recommending that patients with the affected ICDs continue with routine remote monitoring and in-clinic visits. Reprogramming can be performed at your in-clinic visit, if needed. 

You can read more about the Medtronic recall  here.  

HCMA Blog

April 30, 2025
Medical Management means using medicines and other non-invasive therapies to relieve symptoms. It's exciting that new treatments for HCM are being studied and that the FDA approved Camzyos in 2022! HCM can cause various symptoms depending on how stiff the heart is, how much scarring (fibrosis) there is, and whether there is obstruction. Some people have no noticeable symptoms. Common symptoms are chest pain/pressure, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, fatigue, palpitations, and brain fog. Syncope (fainting) is dramatic but not as common as the other symptoms. Medications are the first-line treatment for symptoms of HCM. If patients can't take one class of medication, they can try a medication from a different class. Here are some medications used to treat HCM and what they're for: Beta Blockers - make your heart beat slower and relax better. They allow the heart to fill more completely between beats. They can lower blood pressure and relieve symptoms. Calcium Channel Blockers - used to lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate. May reduce symptoms from obstruction in HCM. Myosin Inhibitors - cause the heart to beat with less force. They may reduce obstruction and septal thickness in some patients. Camzyos (mavacamten) is the first of this class of medication. For more information, click HERE . Antiarrhythmics - help to restore normal rhythm in the heart. Blood Thinners - anticoagulants and anti-platelets make it harder for blood to clot. They are prescribed to reduce the risk of stroke. This risk is higher in patients with afib, aflutter, and artificial heart valves. Diuretics , or "water pills," help the kidneys get rid of extra water and salt, reducing swelling in the body. Sodium Channel Blockers - may reduce gradient in obstructive HCM and can treat chest pain. Some also act as antiarrhythmics. Antibiotics - treat or prevent bacterial infections. In HCM, they may be given before dental work to prevent infective endocarditis. To learn more and see the side effects of these medications, click HERE .
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