Added Security for Difficult-to-Defibrillate Hearts Available

The Atlas II ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) and Atlas II HF CRT-D (cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator) devices are capable of delivering unsurpassed energy, giving added security to patients whose hearts are especially difficult to defibrillate. The devices also feature enhanced telemetry speed for faster communications — up to five times faster than predecessor devices — which results in quicker, more convenient follow-up visits for patients and physicians. The devices include a "patient notifier" that vibrates to alert patients, including those who have difficulty hearing, of critical changes in device function so they know to contact their physicians. In addition to patient notification, speed and energy (42 joules of stored and 36 joules of delivered energy), the Atlas II also features proprietary St. Jude Medical technology designed to help devices meet the needs of patients who require high levels of defibrillation therapy and allow optimizing of sensing parameters that may protect against inappropriate ICD shocks.