Medtronic lead recall lawyers, Williams Kherkher

Congenital Heart Defects

The National Institute of Health has determined that congenital heart defects are the leading cause of death among babies in their first year of life than any other birth defect. In addition to being the leading cause of birth-defect related death, heart defects are among the most common birth defects. A congenital heart defect (CHD) is a defect in the structure of the heart and great vessels (the key blood vessels) of a newborn. The baby is born with this defect and it generally develops while the baby is still undergoing development.

The majority of heart defects either obstruct flow in the heart and vessels near the heart, or cause the blood to flow through the heart in an abnormal pattern. There are other heart defects that affect the heart’s rhythm, but the majority relate to the flow of blood.

Congenital heart defects develop during the baby’s time inside its mother. The defect is present at birth. Once the baby is born, the heart defect is classified as being one of two types. These are acyanotic heart defects and cyanotic heart defects.

Acyanotic heart defects, which result in “pink” babies, comprise roughly 75% of all of the congenital heart defects. This group contains any defect of a group of structural effects. It can be divided into two broad groups depending on whether or not there is shunting present. Shunting is a hole that allows blood to flow.

Cyanotic heart defects, which lead to “blue” babies, are responsible for another large percentage of all congenital heart defects. This type of defect results in a blue baby because deoxygenated blood bypasses the lungs and enters the general circulation. It can be caused by shunting or malposition of the great arteries.

Contact a Medtronic Lawyer

If you have been given a Medtronic defibrillator or pacemaker with defective Sprint Fidelis leads, contact the Medtronic lead recall lawyers of Williams Kherkher at 800-761-3187 to discuss your case and determine your legal options.