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# FDA Approves Firmware Update for Some Abbott Pacemakers
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/fda-approves-firmware-update-for-some-abbott-pacemakers/
- Published: 2017-08-29T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T22:45:04.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Devices, #legacy-id-D5139492

FDA says it has approved a firmware update to reduce the risk of patient harm due to potential exploitation of cybersecurity vulnerabilities in some Abbott (formerly St. Jude Medical) pacemakers. An agency [safety communication](https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/ucm573669.htm?ref=fdaweb.com) says the update is for the Accent, Anthem, Accent MRI, Accent ST, Assurity, and Allure implantable pacemakers, including cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers.

“FDA recommends that patients and their healthcare providers discuss the risks and benefits of the cybersecurity vulnerabilities and the associated firmware update designed to address such vulnerabilities at their next regularly scheduled visit,” the communication says.

The agency says it has reviewed information on potential cybsersecurity vulnerabilities associated with the St. Jude Medical RF-enabled implantable cardiac pacemakers and has confirmed that if exploited, the vulnerabilities could allow an unauthorized user access to a patient’s device using commercially available equipment. Such access could be used to modify programming commands to the implanted pacemaker, which could result in patient harm from rapid battery depletion or administration of inappropriate pacing, the notice says. It says there are no known reports of patient harm related to the vulnerabilities in the 465,000 devices that have been implanted in the U.S.