Death Forces Covidien To Recall Defibrillator Electrodes

Covidien (NYSE:COV) issued a field safety alert on some of its Medi-Trace Cadence and Kendall defibrillation electrodes, saying a connector compatibility issue with defibrillators made by Philips (NYSE:PHG) may have contributed to the death of a patient.

The electrodes in question will not connect with Philips FR3 or FRx AED defibrillators and can result in a delay of therapy, according to a press release. Covidien said it received 2 reports in which customers attempted to use a Covidien electrode with a Philips FR3 AED unit, with the mismatch contributing to "a delay in resuscitation" that "may have contributed to the subsequent death of 1 patient."

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