It is estimated that 10,700 Medtronic 6948 leads were implanted in patients in the United States. The Medtronic lead is also referred to as the “Sprint Fidelis 6948″ heart lead. In October 2007 Medtronic announced a recall of their 6948 lead after increasing reports of lead fractures. The leads (wires) connect a defibrillator to the heart by placing the leads in or on the heart muscle. The recalled Medtronic leads, including the Medtronic 6948 model, were only used to deliver therapy in defibrillators and they were not used with pacemakers. A lead fracture can cause the implanted defibrillator to deliver unnecessary shocks or not deliver shock therapy when required.
There are two main locations on the 6948 Sprint Fidelis lead where approximately 90 % of fractures are likely to occur:
1. The distal portion of the lead which affects the anode (ring electrode) and;
2. Near the anchoring sleeve tie-down, predominantly affecting the cathode (helix tip electrode), and occasionally the high voltage conductor.
The recalled Medtronic Sprint Fidelis 6948 leads were not only implanted in patients with Medtronic defibrillators. The leads were also used with defibrillators from other manufacturers such as St. Jude and Boston Scientific/Guidant. It is important to check your patient wallet card to identify which lead was implanted.

Medtronic has released software updates which are supposed to provide patients with 2-3 days advance notice of a potential lead fracture that could cause an unnecessary shock. This software is called Lead Integrity Alert and it is estimated that around 76% of patients will be warned before a lead fracture occurs.
We represent all Medtronic lead recall patients with implanted 6948 leads on a contingency basis which means that there are never any legal fees unless we win compensation in your case. For a free no-obligation consultation please call Toll Free at 1-888-343-5375 or fill out our short online contact form and an attorney will contact you to answer any of your questions.
We are a law firm dedicated to helping those injured by Medtronic Sprint Fidelis Defibrillator Lead.
Medtronic Recall Lawsuit
U.S. Food & Drug Administration Statement On Medtronic Sprint Fidelis Defibrillator
Medtronic Suspends Sprint Fidelis Defibrillation Leads (PDF)
U.S. FDA Class 1 Recall Report
If you or a loved one have been injured by the Medtronic Sprint Fidelis lead please contact us immediately. You may be entitled to compensation.
Medtronic lawsuits continue to be filed on behalf of patients affected by the Sprint Fidelis Medtronics recall. Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators (ICDs) are implanted heart devices that shock dangerous abnormal heart rhythms back to a normal rhythm. The lead is a wire that connects the ICD to the heart. Medtronic, Inc., a Fortune 500 company based in [...]
Since the Medtronic recall of Sprint Fidelis heart leads in October 2007, patients are continuing to suffer from the life threatening consequences of a fractured defibrillator lead with no real legal recourse. Following the 2008 Supreme Court decision Riegel v. Medtronic, patients and families have been prevented from having the right to file a viable [...]
Sprint Fidelis leads are manufactured by Medtronic, the medical device manufacturer headquartered in Minnesota. The Medtronic Fidelis lead consists of cardiac electrodes which are thin wires. These electrodes connect an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) to the heart.
The Medtronic Fidelis leads recall was announced by the manufacturer and the FDA due [...]
This Medtronic lawsuit center website provides information about the Sprint Fidelis Medtronic Lawsuits nationwide. Below is a Medtronic Lead Recall and Judicial Directory for Mississippi through Wyoming. If you or a loved one has suffered from a defective Medtronic lead, you have a limited period of time to file a claim. Call 1-888-343-5375 for a free, [...]
This Medtronic lead recall center website provides information about the Sprint Fidelis Medtronic Lawsuits nationwide. Below is a Medtronic Recall and Judicial Directory for Alabama through Minnesota. If you or a loved one has suffered from a defective Medtronic lead, you have a limited period of time to file a claim. Call 1-888-343-5375 for a free, [...]