Recall of Defibrillators

Certain models of the HeartStart FR2+ brand of automated external defibrillator (AED), manufactured by Phillips, have been recalled. Recently, the voluntary recall was announced by the FDA. According to the FDA, the AEDs have a memory chip failure that can cause the device not to work. The AED is supposed to alert the defibrillator user when the patient needs a life saving shock. The AED determines when a shock is necessary by automatically analyzing the patient’s heart rhythm. Between mid-2007 and early 2008, the memory chip failed some self-tests done by Phillips. There are no reported injuries from failed memory chips. Phillips will provide replacements for the recalled AEDs. The recalled AED models are the M3860A and M3861A, distributed by Phillips, and models M3840A and M3841A distributed by Laerdal Medical.