The Associated Press reports that heart device maker Thoratec is recalling certain implants after five patients who used these implants have died. Only certain batches of the device have been recalled. The apparent defect is an electrical wire that needs to be replaced.
The recall affects devices with catalog numbers 1355 and 102139, which have been distributed to 153 hospitals and distributors throughout the United States and other countries since the beginning of clinical studies in November 2003.
