var json_comments = new Array("<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-2657992\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=140241\"><img        src=\"/css/images/default.gif\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=140241\">XTC46</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/10/medtronic-stops-selling-faulty-defibrillators.html#comment-2657992\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-10-15T10:33:18-05:00\">October 15, 2007 10:33 AM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(2657992);\">Moderate</a> |</span>	<script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://consumerist.com/mt-static/plugins/Moderate/moderate.js\"></script>	<script type=\"text/javascript\">		successMsg = \"\";	</script><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=2657992');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>yikes. In this kind of recall I hope they are calling every single patient with one of these in them.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(2657992, 'XTC46')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-2658510\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=75437\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-75437-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=75437\">DTaylor404</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/10/medtronic-stops-selling-faulty-defibrillators.html#comment-2658510\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-10-15T13:46:22-05:00\">October 15, 2007  1:46 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(2658510);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=2658510');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>Speaking as one who was implanted with a Medtronic defibrillator (ICD) in June of this year: In my own case, I was scheduled for a three-month programming check and test-fire, and will return to the cardiac center for downloading of the ICD's data logs every six months thereafter. (In addition to its defib capability, the unit is a 24/7 heart monitor.) So, yes, there are plenty of opportunities to inform the patients of any potential problems.</p><p>In fact, when I went in for my three-month check, they found stray noise in the line. It hadn't caused the device to fail, and wasn't expected to, but they're going to replace the lead anyway.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(2658510, 'DTaylor404')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-2658694\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=61766\"><img        src=\"/css/images/default.gif\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=61766\">rbb</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/10/medtronic-stops-selling-faulty-defibrillators.html#comment-2658694\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-10-15T14:13:36-05:00\">October 15, 2007  2:13 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(2658694);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=2658694');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>Great picture!</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(2658694, 'rbb')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-2659286\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=73454\"><img        src=\"/css/images/default.gif\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=73454\">tph</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/10/medtronic-stops-selling-faulty-defibrillators.html#comment-2659286\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-10-15T15:05:28-05:00\">October 15, 2007  3:05 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(2659286);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=2659286');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>The title of this post is slightly off, it's not defibs that are being recalled here but <i>leads</i> which are the cables that connect the defibs to the heart.</p><p>Unfortunately, leads are far more painful and difficult to replace than the defibs themselves.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(2659286, 'tph')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-2661437\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">                <a href=\"\"><img src=\"/css/images/default.gif\"         width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>            </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\">Anonymous    </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/10/medtronic-stops-selling-faulty-defibrillators.html#comment-2661437\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-10-15T17:42:55-05:00\">October 15, 2007  5:42 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(2661437);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=2661437');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>The lead is not being recalled but is being voluntarily pulled from the market by Medtronic. There is a huge difference. The issue was discovered by Medtronic (not the FDA). The issue with the lead is not even statistically relevant.</p><p>Every patient with a Sprint Fidelis lead received a letter from their doctor.</p><p>The fact of the matter is that devices and device systems save lives every single day. Chances are if you have one it will save your life one day. It is important to stay informed, but also to keep it in perspective.</p><p>I wouldn't hesitate to have a Medtronic product implanted.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(2661437, '')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-2662232\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=158343\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-158343-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=158343\">CurbRunner</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/10/medtronic-stops-selling-faulty-defibrillators.html#comment-2662232\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-10-15T18:29:38-05:00\">October 15, 2007  6:29 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(2662232);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=2662232');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>These things sound like implanted Tasers to me. <br />I hope the cops don't figure out how to use these things via remote control.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(2662232, 'CurbRunner')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-2663937\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=15848\"><img        src=\"/css/images/default.gif\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=15848\">FLConsumer</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/10/medtronic-stops-selling-faulty-defibrillators.html#comment-2663937\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-10-15T20:08:04-05:00\">October 15, 2007  8:08 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(2663937);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=2663937');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>@<a href=\"#c2662232\" rel=\"nofollow\">CurbRunner</a>: I'd be curious to see how one of these things holds up to a taser, assuming it wouldn't be good.</p><p>Things like this make me feel VERY happy I've refused to get a pacemaker each time the cardiologist brings it up.  Sure, my heart stops periodically, but it always restarts itself. It doesn't feel great, but it doesn't interfere with my life.  Medical literature confirms no one has died from my particular cardiovascular condition, but the cardiologist sure loves pushing the issue at every single appointment...for the past 10 years.  I'm not even 30 yet.</p><p>I don't doubt that these devices save lives and are absolute blessings for some, but I do question the frequency of which they are installed.  It seems like such a sledgehammer approach when other options exist.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(2663937, 'FLConsumer')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-2681525\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=175644\"><img        src=\"/css/images/default.gif\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=175644\">moeman1024</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/10/medtronic-stops-selling-faulty-defibrillators.html#comment-2681525\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-10-17T01:56:08-05:00\">October 17, 2007  1:56 AM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(2681525);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=2681525');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>Ok, enough is enough. I have went through three surgeries already because of this company and recalls.   Two defibrillator/pacemakers recalled and another wire issue.  The battery died on the first two then the wire cracked giving to much noise. <br /> This is icing on the cake another surgery for a problem caused by a cheap company. On top of this my heart problems are a result of a doctors mistake.<br />  I will be calling the doctor in the morning.</p><p>Thank you for the warning.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(2681525, 'moeman1024')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-2694642\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=75437\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-75437-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=75437\">DTaylor404</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/10/medtronic-stops-selling-faulty-defibrillators.html#comment-2694642\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-10-18T01:06:30-05:00\">October 18, 2007  1:06 AM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(2694642);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=2694642');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>@<a href=\"#c2658510\" rel=\"nofollow\">DTaylor404</a>: Updating my own comment: As I implied but didn't quite say, my doctor made the decision to replace my lead <b>before</b> receiving any letter from Medtronic--although he had spoken to one of their representatives. The doctor had mentioned his intent to address the issue via the unit's programming (which the Reuters/NYTimes article says is effective in most cases), but Medtronic said \"Better safe than sorry; Go ahead and replace it.\"</p><p>I won't say it isn't inconvenient to go into surgery again, and (as it was just yesterday) my shoulder does ache -- percoset is my friend -- but all in all, it seems that both my doctor and Medtronic are handling the problem exactly as I would wish.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(2694642, 'DTaylor404')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-2694658\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=75437\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-75437-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=75437\">DTaylor404</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/10/medtronic-stops-selling-faulty-defibrillators.html#comment-2694658\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-10-18T01:09:39-05:00\">October 18, 2007  1:09 AM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(2694658);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=2694658');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>@<a href=\"#c2662232\" rel=\"nofollow\">CurbRunner</a>: They don't compare to tasers at all. I was awake for the final test-fire of the thing in surgery yesterday. As advertised, it feels no worse than a good solid punch to the chest. The jolt a taser delivers is meant to be incapacitating.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(2694658, 'DTaylor404')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment last\" id=\"comment-2695793\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=175644\"><img        src=\"/css/images/default.gif\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=175644\">moeman1024</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2007/10/medtronic-stops-selling-faulty-defibrillators.html#comment-2695793\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2007-10-18T04:45:56-05:00\">October 18, 2007  4:45 AM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(2695793);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=2695793');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>Huh, seems all my comments seem to disappear.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(2695793, 'moeman1024')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>");