Medtronic Increases Death Estimate for Defibrillator Leads

The Wall Street Journal reported over the weekend that "Medtronic Inc. said the number of deaths in which its fractured defibrillator wires may have been a 'possible or likely contributing factor' has risen to 13." The new number "is the company's first update of its death estimate since the Sprint Fidelis, then the No. 1 such device in the world, was first recalled." When the company recalled the device in October 2007, it cited five deaths.