Medtronic Issues Heart Device Battery Alert

Medtronic Inc. is warning physicians about problems with 6,300 implantable heart devices. The company said the batteries in the devices drain too soon.

However, spokesman Christopher Garland, of the Minneapolis, Minn.-based firm, said the affected devices, Concerto CRT-D and Virtuoso ICD, will provide three-month warnings before the batteries run down.

CRT-D and ICD are implanted into the chest and help manage irregular heart beats.

“There is no risk of sudden loss of output and these devices will continue to deliver therapy as needed until they reach end of service. Patients do not have to do anything differently. They should keep up with their regular device check-ups,” Medtronic said in a statement.

Medtronic said it sent a letter to heart doctors this month advising them of the problem.