Boston Scientific's Stock Plunge after Medical Device Recall
October 26, 2006 08:50

Guidant is now part of Boston Scientific Corp., after Boston Scientific outbid Johnson & Johnson to buy Guidant for more than $27 billion in a bitter takeover battle this year. When the deal closed, Boston Scientific's offer was valued at nearly $11 a share... (Read Article)

Boston Scientific Recalls Coronary Stent: Excessive Heart Surgery Dangerous
October 27, 2006 08:46

Think that after receiving coronary surgery that you could be on the road to recovery? Think again especially if the doctors installed two Boston Scientific stent systems from two lots.

The problem: Impeded balloon deflation can result in significant patient complications including emergency coronary artery bypass graft surgery and death. Hospitals should immediately discontinue use of any affected units. Class I recalls are the most serious type of recall and involve situations where there is a reasonable probability that use of the product will cause serious injury or death. (FDA)

Boston Scientific Swings to Profit despite Medical Device Recall
October 28, 2006 08:54

Shares of Boston Scientific Corp. moved higher late Wednesday after the medical device maker said it swung to a profit in the third quarter despite lower sales of its flagship Taxus drug-coated coronary stent and its implantable defibrillators. After the closing... (Read Article)

Pacemakers Have Programming Bug
October 28, 2006 08:56

A bug in software used to program several models of St. Jude Medical pacemakers can cause inaccurate reporting of remaining battery life. It has no bearing on the devices' function or actual longevity, according to the company.

Patients who have devices that are within two years of the device's predicted longevity, with particular focus on pacemaker-dependent patients, are advised to return to the clinic sooner for a medical device follow-up session that includes an interrogation and performing a subsequent measured data reading.

A corrected version of the programmer system's software is expected within two months, pending regulatory approval. (MEDSCAPE)