Heart patients recalled to hospital

22 February 2005

BRUSSELS – Nearly 500 Belgian heart patients have been recalled to hospital because of faulty pacemakers.

The 483 patients may be forced to go through a painful operation to have thier pacemakers removed then re-installed.

The devices, which generate electronic impulses and were made by the Medtronic firm, cost between EUR 20,000 and 25,000.

They have been recalled because of concerns over the relaibility of the batteries that power them.

A spokesman for Medtronic said the risk to lives was minimal but that the Belgian cardiology association wanted to stay on the safe side.

Those affected were informed by letter and asked to consult their cardiologist for additional treatment.

Subject: Belgian news