Riata ST Optim vs Rita ST

Can anyone tell me the differance between these two leads. I understand the Rita ST is now on advisory/recall. Is the Riata ST Optim a advisory/recall also? Are they the same type lead?

1 Comments

Riata ST Optim vs Rita ST

by goodoldan - 2012-09-21 09:09:42

There are actually three types of St Jude leads in question. The Riata and Riata ST leads were the ones actually recalled by the FDA, and the Riata ST Optim (now renamed Durata) is now to be "watched" for similar problems as well (although no externalized lead issues have been reported for the Optim/Durata to date, according to SJM).

The Riata and Riata ST are similar in that they each have silicone insulation, with no outer "jacket". The Riata ST included some improvements that significantly reduced, but did not eliminate, the incidence of lead "externalization", where the internal leads wear through the silicone insulation and become exposed. The Optim/Durata leads also incorporate an outer insulation jacket of a plastic material that would appear to make them more reliable, and not subject (so far) to the lead externalization problems.

I have one Riata ST lead, and one Optim lead connected to my ICD. I had a chest xray done to see if there were any problems that could be detected visually (no problems seen on the xray), and the self testing done by the ICD is revealing no electrical problems yet either (although some failure modes can't be detected this way). I'm going to talk with my EP again next week, but my own thinking is that since my ICD is appoaching ERI (low battery) soon anyway, that I would go to Cleveland Clinic (best in the US for lead extraction) and have them replace the recalled lead and the ICD at the same time as a "two-fer".

Dan

You know you're wired when...

Muggers want your ICD, not your wallet.

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