Jury to hear suit over pacemaker implants

A judge in New Mexico set a Nov. 4 jury trial date in a lawsuit that accuses a cardiologist, a hospital and the manufacturer of implantable devices of conspiring to perform unnecessary procedures.

According to the Las Cruces News in New Mexico and other regional media, a civil suit filed by Tommy and Barbara Sowards alleges that cardiologist Demosthenes Klonis, DO, conducted unnecessary medical procedures, including implantation of a Biotronik pacemaker, in 2007 after Tommy Sowards presented at MountainView Regional Medical Center in Las Cruces with chest pain. The reports claim that the Sowards were charged $20,000 and that when asked, the physician did not release records documenting the diagnosis.

They are charging Klonis, MountainView and Biotronik with negligence, fraud and recklessness and are seeking damages and legal fees. The report adds that Albuquerque attorney Randi McGinn, who represents the couple, said 34 people allegedly received unnecessary implantations.