The recall of 28,000 implanted heart pacemakers by a US medical firm will have a "minimal" on patients in Ireland, according to a leading heart specialist.
Dr Edward Keelan, a cardiologist with the Mater Hospital in Dublin, told ireland.comthat Guidant - the company which produces the devices - has only a small share of the market here.
Dr Keelan said of the patients fitted with the particular devices only a small minority - who are wholly dependent on their pacemakers - were at risk.
Guidant last night recalled 28,000 implanted heart pacemakers after safety concerns were raised about several of its models. In a statement on its website, it said the pacemakers have not been sold or implanted for the past four years.
It said five patients experienced fainting when their pacemaker failed and two patients may have developed heart failure. One of those patients later died.
Guidant said it was voluntarily advising physicians about "important safety information regarding certain devices".
It made 78,000 of the devices, which include its Pulsar Max II and Discovery II systems.
The problem involves an hermetic sealing component that may degrade over time, resulting in higher-than-normal moisture within the pacemaker.
The company is recommending doctors consider replacing the devices for heart patients who are dependent on a pacemaker to maintain a regular heart rhythm.
