LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) A suit headed to trial in Las Cruces accuses a doctor, the local hospital and an international biomedical firm of teaming up to implant unneeded pacemakers and other devices in patients to boost profits. Tommy and Barbara Sowards are suing for damages after they say the doctor implanted an unneeded pacemaker when Tommy Sowards went to MountainView Regional Medical Center in January 2007. They're suing cardiologist Dr. Demosthenes Klonis, the hospital and pacemaker manufacturer Biotronik, Inc.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports attorneys for the doctor and manufacturer declined comment Tuesday during a break in pre-trial proceedings. The case is set for trial in November. The hospital didn't respond to requests for comment.
One of the Albuquerque-based attorneys representing the Sowards says 34 people reportedly received unnecessary implantations.
