Voluntary Recall of Heart Attack Diagnostic Tool

Biosite Incorporated has announced a voluntary recall for one lot of its Triage Cardiac Panel (Catalog No. 97000HS, Lot #W44467B). The test is designed to be used by healthcare professionals to help diagnose heart attacks. The issue, as I understand it, is that the recalled lot may report falsely low values of CK-MB, myoglobin, and troponin I, which are proteins that increase when a heart attack is occurring. What this means is that the test under-reports potential heart attacks—the worst possible scenario.

Kudos to the manufacturer, Biosite for instituting the recall. However, I can’t help but notice that Biosite’s website makes absolutely no mention of the recall—despite today being one week after the press release. If I’m a doctor and I hear about the recall in passing, my first stop will be to the internet to get some solid information. This is the information age—there is no excuse not to use the most widespread means of communication, especially when lives are in danger.

What were we just saying about responsible corporations?