As Their Use Soars, Heart Implants Raise Questions.

IMPLANTABLE cardioverter-defibrillators; DEFIBRILLATORS; MEDICAL equipment; ELECTRONICS in cardiology; ELECTRIC countershock; GUIDANT Corp.; MANUFACTURING defects; PRODUCT safety; CONSUMER protection; PRODUCT recall; PRODUCT liability; CLINICAL trials; PHYSICIANS; MEDICAL scientists; MEDICAL research personnel; BIOMEDICAL engineering

Examines the growing debate over the use of implantable defibrillators. Spotlight on defibrillators after the disclosure that the Guidant Corporation did not tell doctors for years that one of its models had a defect; Debate over the benefits and costs of the device; Issues of overuse or inappropriate use; Medical and financial consequences; Growth in the use of implantable defibrillators, which are increasingly being used as a standard piece of safety equipment; Overview of the dilemma; Views of physicians and medical researchers; Landmark clinical trials with defibrillators; Information on the devices. INSET: Guidant Gets Approval to Resume Sales.