Guidant Ventak Mini Device Cleared for Marketing

Guidant Corp. says that a smaller version of its implantable device used to treat irregular heartbeats has been cleared for marketing. The Ventak Mini IV is designed for patient comfort and is able to detect, treat and diagnose life-threatening irregular arrhythmias. It is the company's newest release in a series of downsized defibrillators.

Guidant said the device was developed in response to the needs of doctors treating patients with life-threatening fast heart rhythms. The device allows the doctor to perform a series of automatic patient and device follow-up tests and provides a printout that summarizes the data needed to manage the patient's condition. In most cases, the device and patient information stored inside the implantable defibrillator can be retrieved in less than two minutes.