Numbers: Aug. 27, 2001

DISHEARTENING Benefits still outweigh risks for 750,000 U.S. patients with an implanted cardiac device. But new stats give pause:

1 in 15 Odds that a pacemaker will be recalled, or a safety alert issued, over a one-year period

1 in 6 Odds that a defibrillator, similar to the one in Vice President Cheney, will suffer the same fate

$870 million Cost of checking and replacing affected devices, 1990-2000

Source: Journal of the American Medical Association