The Food and Drug Administration issued two separate safety alerts Wednesday for Boston Scientific heart devices that have been linked to a combined total of 33 deaths and over 500 serious injuries, highlighting significant safety concerns with the company's cardiac implant portfolio.
Defibrillator Wire Failures Lead to Fatal Outcomes
The FDA warned that Boston Scientific's Endotak Reliance defibrillator wires can become calcified, resulting in failures to deliver life-saving electrical shocks to patients experiencing cardiac emergencies. As of July 24, the company has reported 386 serious injuries and 16 deaths associated with this calcification issue.
According to Boston Scientific, ten of the deaths were directly attributed to device malfunction, while four deaths occurred during surgical attempts to remove the problematic devices from patients. Two additional deaths were determined to be unrelated to the implants.
The affected defibrillator wires were distributed between 2002 and 2021 and are no longer commercially available. Defibrillators are surgically implanted in the upper chest to monitor irregular heartbeats and deliver electrical shocks to restore normal heart rhythm when needed.
Stroke Prevention Device Raises Anesthesia-Related Concerns
In a separate alert, the FDA addressed safety issues with Boston Scientific's Watchman device, which is implanted to close a portion of the heart's left atrium as an alternative to long-term blood thinner therapy for stroke prevention in high-risk patients.
The company recently updated its implantation instructions after identifying an increased risk of bloodstream blockages related to anesthesia levels during the initial procedure. As of July 30, Boston Scientific has reported 120 serious injuries and 17 deaths connected to this issue.
A company investigation concluded that the safety concern "is not associated with the design or manufacture of any component of the Watchman system," suggesting the problem stems from procedural factors rather than device defects.
Clinical Decision-Making and Risk Assessment
For patients with the problematic Endotak Reliance wires, physicians must carefully evaluate whether device replacement is necessary, weighing the risks of the removal procedure against the potential for device failure. Boston Scientific noted in its communication to doctors that some patients will require device replacement.
The Watchman device continues to serve as an important therapeutic option for patients at increased stroke risk who cannot tolerate long-term anticoagulation therapy, though the updated procedural guidelines aim to minimize anesthesia-related complications.
Financial Impact on Medical Device Giant
Heart devices represent Boston Scientific's largest business segment, accounting for two-thirds of the company's $5 billion in revenue for the most recent quarter. Following the FDA alerts, Boston Scientific Corp. shares declined nearly 1.8% to close at $102.95 in Wednesday trading, reflecting investor concerns about the potential impact of these safety issues on the company's cardiac device portfolio.
