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# FDA Sees Battery Problems in Some St. Jude Devices
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/fda-sees-battery-problems-in-some-st-jude-devices/
- Published: 2016-10-11T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T21:38:40.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Devices, #legacy-id-D5137051

An FDA [safety communication](http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/ucm524666.htm?source=govdelivery&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fsource=govdelivery) says that St. Jude Medical has issued an advisory on implantable cardioverter defibrillator and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator batteries that may fail earlier than expected. FDA and the company are alerting patients, patient caregivers, and doctors to respond immediately to elective replacement indicator alerts on the devices.

“Due to problems with these batteries, patients do not have the normal three-month lead time for device replacement,” the agency communication says. “Some batteries have run out within 24 hours of the patient receiving an alert. St. Jude Medical has initiated a recall and correction of the affected devices.”

If a battery runs out, the notice says, the device it powers will be unable to deliver life-saving pacing or shocks, which could lead to patient death. It says that the patients most at risk are those with a high likelihood of requiring life-saving shocks and those who are pacemaker dependent. The communication includes recommendations for healthcare providers and for patients and caregivers.