St. Jude Medical Announces FDA and European CE Mark Approval of the QuickFlex Family of Leads

St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE:STJ) today announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European CE Mark approval of the QuickFlex(TM) family of left-heart leads to treat heart failure patients.
The QuickFlex leads, used in CRT (cardiac resynchronization therapy), feature shorter tip and ring electrodes (used to conduct energy), reducing the length of the lead's rigid portions. The concept behind the shorter electrodes is that it may help the lead through bends in the heart's venous system that characterize the left side of the heart. This could enable physicians to better maneuver the lead to the optimal position for therapy.