Recall of Medtronic HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device Pump Implant Kits

Class 1 Recall of HVAD Pump Implant Kits

Medtronic is recalling HVAD Pump Implant Kits for the HeartWare HVAD System under a Class 1 Recall. This class of recall indicates that continued use poses the risk of serious injury or death.  If you have been implanted in one of these products, please confirm whether yours is in the recalled group.  This group includes:

• HVAD Pump Implant Kits for the HeartWare HVAD System
• Lots:
  • 8721869-001-01
  • 8722375-001-01
  • 8722375-002-02
• Model: Medtronic HVAD Pump Implant Kits, labeled as:
  • PUMP 1103
  • PUMP 1104
  • PUMP 1104JP
• Distribution Dates: October 23, 2017, to April 30, 2020.
• Devices Recalled in the U.S.: 157

Risks of Use

The device may fail to start or restart after the pump stops and/or the restart may be delayed.  These delays and/or failures may result in serious negative consequences such as:

• heart attack
• worsening heart failure
• the need for additional procedures and hospitalizations
• death.

What is the HeartWare HVAD System Used For?

The HeartWare HVAD System is ‘used as a bridge to cardiac transplants in patients who are at risk of death from end-stage left ventricular heart failure, for heart tissue recovery, or as destination therapy in patients where new transplants are not planned.’

What to Do If You Have One?

On December 18, 2020, Medtronic sent an Urgent Medical Device Communication Letter to all affected customers and on December 23, 2020, Medtronic sent an Urgent Medical Device Communication Letter to all accounts who have previously purchased a Medtronic HVAD Pump giving detailed instructions on what to do.  Patients are urged to follow those instructions. The notice instructed customers to:

• Advise health care providers and staff on the following points from the current Instructions for Use to avoid unnecessary pump stops:
  • Do not disconnect the driveline from the controller.
  • Do not disconnect both power sources (batteries and AC or DC adapter) from the controller at the same time; one external power source should always remain connected to the controller.
  • Do not exchange the controller unless explicitly directed by a High Priority alarm condition or by a VAD team member.
  • Reinforce the proper response to a [Controller Fault] alarm and [Electrical Fault] alarm. These are Medium Priority alarms unrelated to an immediate pump stop. These alarms will result in the word [Call] in the Controller Display, notifying the patient to call their clinician.
  • Reinforce making good connections of power sources and the data cable in the controller ports.
• Inform patients implanted with one of these identified pumps to contact their Ventricular Assist Device coordinator prior to any controller exchange, and to coordinate performing an exchange of controllers in a clinical setting.
• Decide if a controller exchange is deemed necessary for patients implanted with one of these identified pumps and consider the following:
  • Controller exchanges should be performed under clinician supervision in a controlled environment with the immediate ability to put the patient on hemodynamic support. Failure to restart can be fatal.
  • Upon a pump stop, a High Priority [VAD Stopped] alarm will result in the words [Change Controller] or [Connect Driveline] in the Controller Display. Once power and driveline connections are reestablished, if the pump does not restart:
  • Consider power cycling of the current controller or consider a controller exchange. This will allow the restart algorithm to reset and start over. The controller automatically attempts to restart the pump a maximum of 30 times; the [VAD Stopped] alarm begins after five (5) attempts.
  • If the pump still does not restart, proceed with temporary hemodynamic support and pump exchange.
• Schedule a controller exchange prior to the internal controller battery reaching end of life and triggering a [Controller Fault] alarm if a patient’s controller is beyond two (2) years of service.
  • Although a [Controller Fault] alarm is a Medium Priority alarm that is not related to a pump stop, proactively scheduling a controller exchange could help avoid a patient reacting to the alarm by exchanging a controller outside of a clinical setting. Per the IFU, patients should call their clinician upon receiving a Medium Priority alarm.
• Review serial numbers in the letter and confirm if patients are still on support.
• Share the letter with all those who need to be aware within organizations or to any organization where potentially affected patients have been transferred.
• Complete a Physician Confirmation Form (enclosed with the letter) and return via email to [email protected].

Medtronic Contact Information

Customers who need additional information about this recall can contact Medtronic Mechanical Circulatory Support Customer Service by phone at 877-367-4823