Experienced Guidant Lawyers

Our Lawyers Can Help You

Glossary of Terms Relating to Guidant Defibrillators and Guidant Pacemakers.

FDA Advises Patients:
If you have not already been notified, contact your doctor to determine if you have an affected PRIZM 2, CONTAK RENEWAL, or CONTAK RENEWAL 2 device.

Glossary of Terms

• Arrhythmia : An arrhythmia is an abnormal heartbeat.
• Atrium: The upper chambers of the heart where blood enters after circulation.
• Bradycardia: 60 or fewer heartbeats a minute.
• Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Devices (CRTD): Machines similar to pacemakers that provide constant gentle electrical stimulation to encourage regular heartbeat.
• Defibrillation: Defibrillation is a process used in medical emergencies to terminate ventricular fibrillation. An electric shock can "reset" the natural rhythm of the heart, restoring blood pressure and heartbeat.
• Heart Attack: Death of heart muscle tissue due to inadequate blood supply
• Heart Failure: The inability for the heart to pump blood under its own power due to failure of electrochemical stimulation or incorrect chamber synchronization
• Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD): a small computer that monitors heartbeat and provides stimulation to prevent fibrillation.
• Sudden Cardiac Death: Death that occurs because of failure of the heart to beat properly
• Tachycardia: More that 120 heartbeats a minute.
• Ventricle: The lower chambers of the heart where blood is pumped out to the body.
• Ventricular Fibrillation: Ventricular fibrillation occurs when heart muscles contract out of sync with each other. Blood circulation stops after a few seconds, causing brain damage and death within a few minutes.

If you are in need of legal advice about your Guidant Defibrillator or Guidant Pacemaker, or simply wish to speak to an attorney who has experience with Guidant Recall in your state, you may use our Free Online Consultation Form.

There is NO COST or obligation for this service.