Recent reports have suggested that some bypass surgeries with the St. Jude Aortic Connector have resulted in serious complications. There have been at least 70 serious problems and as many as 20 deaths resulting from the device's use.

If the St. Jude Symmetry Bypass System was used in your procedure and you have experienced complications, you may be entitled to compensation.

The FDA is aware that use of the aortic connector may create a greater risk for post-operative complications such as graft narrowing, leakage, failed deployment, and occlusion. Many of the symmetry bypass aortic connector patients had to undergo a second coronary bypass procedure to repair the graft and remove the aortic connector device. Many patients suffered medical problems, such as heart attacks, respiratory failure, and even death.

Despite these reports, St. Jude Medical has not conducted additional clinical trials nor altered the design or manufacturing process to lessen the risk the aortic connector poses to implant patients. Perhaps more troubling, St. Jude Medical has not contacted the medical community to emphasize the importance of regular monitoring and testing of implant patients. The company continues to market and sell the symmetry bypass aortic connectors in the lucrative cardiac surgery market.

If you have undergone heart bypass surgery, you should ask your physician or surgeon whether the St. Jude Medical Symmetry Bypass System was used in your procedure. Under federal law, a physician or surgeon must provide this information to patients upon request. In addition, patients are entitled to review their medical records.