Ricci~Leopold To Represent Patients Impacted as Medtronic Voluntarily Suspends Distribution of Defibrillation Leads

IMMEDIATE RELEASE – MEDIA ALERT – CONSUMER SAFETY

November 9, 2007

Palm Beach Gardens Civil Justice Firm To Represent Patients Impacted as Medtronic Voluntarily Suspends Distribution of Defibrillation Leads
Physician Experts Advise Against Prophylactic Replacement of Implanted Leads 268,000 Heart Patients May Be Impacted

WEST PALM BEACH, FLA.—December 3, 2007—Medronic, Inc. (NYSE:MDT) announced last month that it has voluntarily suspended worldwide distribution of the Sprint Fidelis family of defibrillation leads due to the potential for lead fractures.

The Sprint Fidelis leads are used to deliver therapy in defibrillators only, including implantable Cardioverter Defribrillators (ICDs) and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Defibrillators (CRT-Ds). Approximately 268,000 Sprint Fidelis leads have been implanted worldwide.

Lead fractures may present clinically as audible alerts, inappropriate shocks and/or loss of output. Based on current information regarding the 268,000 implanted leads, Medtronic has identified five patient deaths in which a Sprint Fidelis lead fracture may have been a possible or likely contributing factor.

“There have been five deaths thus far caused by the faulty leads. Any patient with these leads is at risk, no matter what statistics the manufacturer may report”, said, Ted Leopold, managing partner of Ricci~Leopold. “We understand the impact that this has on individuals having successfully represented clients in cases against Medtronic’s involving certain defective and recalled heart defibrillators know as implantable cardioverter defibrillators (IC) and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-D). We are at a crossroads again with another defective product that is putting consumers with health issues at risk,” added Leopold.

Ted Leopold is managing partner in the law firm of Ricci~Leopold, P.A. Spencer Kuvin is an associate attorney with the firm. As consumer justice advocates, the attorneys at Ricci~Leopold pursue justice for those who are harmed by the misconduct of corporations and insurance companies. The firm, founded in 1982, has six attorneys and is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, with offices located at 2925 PGA Blvd. Mr. Leopold and Mr. Kuvin can be contacted at (561) 684-6500. Additional information about Ricci~Leopold , P.A. and this matter may be obtained from the firm’s website at www.riccilaw.com