Heartware Recalls

Hazard: Medtronic is stopping the distribution and sale of the HVAD System due to a growing body of observational clinical comparisons that shows a higher frequency of neurological adverse events and mortality associated with the system when compared to other commercially available left ventricular assist devices, as well as complaints that the internal pump may delay or fail to restart.

Hazard: Medtronic is stopping the distribution and sale of the HVAD System due to a growing body of observational clinical comparisons that shows a higher frequency of neurological adverse events and mortality associated with the system when compared to other commercially available left ventricular assist devices, as well as complaints that the internal pump may delay or fail to restart.

Hazard: Medtronic is stopping the distribution and sale of the HVAD System due to a growing body of observational clinical comparisons that shows a higher frequency of neurological adverse events and mortality associated with the system when compared to other commercially available left ventricular assist devices, as well as complaints that the internal pump may delay or fail to restart.

Hazard: Medtronic is stopping the distribution and sale of the HVAD System due to a growing body of observational clinical comparisons that shows a higher frequency of neurological adverse events and mortality associated with the system when compared to other commercially available left ventricular assist devices, as well as complaints that the internal pump may delay or fail to restart.

Hazard: Medtronic is stopping the distribution and sale of the HVAD System due to a growing body of observational clinical comparisons that shows a higher frequency of neurological adverse events and mortality associated with the system when compared to other commercially available left ventricular assist devices, as well as complaints that the internal pump may delay or fail to restart.

Hazard: Medtronic is stopping the distribution and sale of the HVAD System due to a growing body of observational clinical comparisons that shows a higher frequency of neurological adverse events and mortality associated with the system when compared to other commercially available left ventricular assist devices, as well as complaints that the internal pump may delay or fail to restart.

Hazard: Medtronic is stopping the distribution and sale of the HVAD System due to a growing body of observational clinical comparisons that shows a higher frequency of neurological adverse events and mortality associated with the system when compared to other commercially available left ventricular assist devices, as well as complaints that the internal pump may delay or fail to restart.

Hazard: Medtronic is stopping the distribution and sale of the HVAD System due to a growing body of observational clinical comparisons that shows a higher frequency of neurological adverse events and mortality associated with the system when compared to other commercially available left ventricular assist devices, as well as complaints that the internal pump may delay or fail to restart.

Hazard: The pump has an impeller with a shroud height that did not meet the lower control limit.

Hazard: IFU and Patient Manual updated to describe Expected Alarm Duration. The Instructions for Use (IFU) is being updated to advise clinicians that alarms that resolve after a very short period may mean there is an intermittent problem and the cause of the alarm can be evaluated by analysis of the controller log files. The Patient Manual (PM) is being updated to instruct patients to contact their clinicians if they cannot identify an alarm before it is cleared as it might mean there is an intermittent problem. NOTE: this update is included in the February 2021 Urgent Medical Device Notice also covered in recalls 87456 and 87604

Hazard: IFU and Patient Manual updated to describe HVAD Controller Connection Verification. The labeling is being corrected to reflect the actual verified behavior of a successful connector to the controller, which is a "beep" and not "audible click", to clarify under what alarm conditions a beep will not be heard, and identify alternate confirmation methods (visual indicator) for successful connection. NOTE: this update is included in the February 2021 Urgent Medical Device Notice also covered in recalls 87456 and 87603

Hazard: Medtronic HeartWare HVAD System Instructions for Use (IFU) and Patient Manual (PM) updates regarding: Carrying Cases, Driveline Cover Orientation, and Controller Power Up Sequence issues. The PM is being updated to clarify use of the support strap and wear instructions in addition to cleaning instructions of the carrying cases. The IFU and PM are being updated to add a useful life for the carrying cases. The PM is being updated to inform users to keep the driveline cover on when disconnecting and reconnecting the driveline. The IFU and PM are being updated to clarify the power-up sequence that causes the alarm indicator LEDs and both sets of battery LEDs to turn red for 2.5 seconds while the LCD displays the power-on message. NOTE: this update is included in the February 2021 Urgent Medical Device Notice also covered in recalls 87603 and 87604

Hazard: There is the potential for the Controller power cables (AC Adapter, DC Adapter, and Battery cables), HVAD Alarm Adapter, and HVAD Monitor data cables to cause damage to the HVAD Controller ports when inserting the cables into the Controller ports, due to wear from misalignment of the cables to the port.

Hazard: There is the potential for the Controller power cables (AC Adapter, DC Adapter, and Battery cables), HVAD Alarm Adapter, and HVAD Monitor data cables to cause damage to the HVAD Controller ports when inserting the cables into the Controller ports, due to wear from misalignment of the cables to the port.

Hazard: There is the potential for the Controller power cables (AC Adapter, DC Adapter, and Battery cables), HVAD Alarm Adapter, and HVAD Monitor data cables to cause damage to the HVAD Controller ports when inserting the cables into the Controller ports, due to wear from misalignment of the cables to the port.

Hazard: There is the potential for the Controller power cables (AC Adapter, DC Adapter, and Battery cables), HVAD Alarm Adapter, and HVAD Monitor data cables to cause damage to the HVAD Controller ports when inserting the cables into the Controller ports, due to wear from misalignment of the cables to the port.

Hazard: There is the potential for the Controller power cables (AC Adapter, DC Adapter, and Battery cables), HVAD Alarm Adapter, and HVAD Monitor data cables to cause damage to the HVAD Controller ports when inserting the cables into the Controller ports, due to wear from misalignment of the cables to the port.

Hazard: There is the potential for the Controller power cables (AC Adapter, DC Adapter, and Battery cables), HVAD Alarm Adapter, and HVAD Monitor data cables to cause damage to the HVAD Controller ports when inserting the cables into the Controller ports, due to wear from misalignment of the cables to the port.

Hazard: Pumps manufactured with impellers from a subset of lots from a single supplier are failing to initially start, restart, or experiencing a delay in restart within the maximum number of restart attempts at a rate substantially higher than pump in the overall population.

Hazard: The Outflow Graft may be subject to tears and the Strain Relief screw may break during the pre-implant pump assembly and attachment to the HVAD Pump.

Hazard: The Outflow Graft may be subject to tears and the Strain Relief screw may break during the pre-implant pump assembly and attachment to the HVAD Pump.

Hazard: The Outflow Graft may be subject to tears and the Strain Relief screw may break during the pre-implant pump assembly and attachment to the HVAD Pump.

Hazard: The Outflow Graft may be subject to tears and the Strain Relief screw may break during the pre-implant pump assembly and attachment to the HVAD Pump.

Hazard: The Outflow Graft may be subject to tears and the Strain Relief screw may break during the pre-implant pump assembly and attachment to the HVAD Pump.

Hazard: Potential for an HVAD System user to mistakenly insert the Battery Charger AC Adapter into an HVAD Controller power port.

Hazard: Potential for an HVAD System user to mistakenly insert the Battery Charger AC Adapter into an HVAD Controller power port.

Hazard: HVAD Battery Charger units manufactured with wrong inductors.

Hazard: Certain HVAD System Controller units may not meet the labeled standard for protection against water or fluid ingress, specifically they may have the potential to develop hairline cracks at the power ports of the controller housing.

Hazard: Possible transient electrical connection interruption between an HVAD System power source (Battery, AC Adapter, or DC Adapter) and the Controller, while the power source is connected, that may cause unintended switching to the secondary power source and/or unexpected audible tones (beeping). The interruption typically lasts 1-2 seconds, due to oxidation between power source connector and socket.

Hazard: In April 2015, HeartWare, now a part of Medtronic, notified users of a safety issue related to the HVAD Pump Driveline Splice Kit. Medtronic now intends to send a follow-up communication to identified clinicians informing them that a new, improved splice kit is available.