Events

Recall of HeartWare Ventricular Assist System (HVAD)

According to U.S. Food and Drug Administration, this recall involved a device in United States that was produced by HeartWare Inc.

What is this?

A correction or removal action taken by a manufacturer to address a problem with a medical device. Recalls occur when a medical device is defective, when it could be a risk to health, or when it is both defective and a risk to health.

Learn more about the data here
  • Type of Event
    Recall
  • Event ID
    71240
  • Event Risk Class
    Class 2
  • Event Number
    Z-1917-2015
  • Event Initiated Date
    2015-04-29
  • Event Date Posted
    2015-06-26
  • Event Status
    Open, Classified
  • Event Country
    United States
  • Event Source
    USFDA
  • Event Source URL
    https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfres/res.cfm?id=136957
  • Notes / Alerts
    U.S. data is current through June 2018. All of the data comes from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, except for the category Manufacturer Parent Company.
    The Parent Company was added by ICIJ.
    The parent company information is based on 2017 public records.
  • Extra notes in the data
    Ventricular (assisst) bypass - Product Code DSQ
  • Reason
    Complaints with the hvad abnormal power source switching.
  • Action
    HeartWare sent an Urgent Medical Device Correction letter to all affected customers. The letter identified the product, the problem, and the action to be taken by the customer. Customers were instructed to review the enclosed Patient Communication and familiarize the contents, forward the notice to those individuals withing their organization who need to be aware of its contents, identify their patients currently supported by the HVAD System, distribute the Patient Communication to their patients via FedEX or some other reliable means of communication. Customers with questions were instructed to contact their HeartWare representative should they need any assistance with the process. Customers were asked to complete, sign, and return the Acknowledgement and Completion Form to HeartWare. Customers with quesitons were instructed to call 1-888-494-6365.

Device

HeartWare Ventricular Assist System (HVAD)
  • Model / Serial
    Catalog #'s US: 1101 and 1103 / OUS: 1100,1101,1102,1104,1104JP and 1205. Serial #: ALL HeartWare HVAD systems currently in use.
  • Product Classification
    Cardiovascular Devices
  • Device Class
    3
  • Implanted device?
    Yes
  • Distribution
    US including AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA and Internationally to Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and UK.
  • Product Description
    HeartWare Ventricular Assist System (HVAD) || For use as a bridge-to-cardiac transplantation in patient who are at risk of death from refractory end-stage left ventricular heart failure.
  • Manufacturer
    HeartWare Inc

Manufacturer

HeartWare Inc
  • Manufacturer Address
    HeartWare Inc, 14400 Nw 60th Ave, Miami Lakes FL 33014-2807
  • Manufacturer Parent Company (2017)
    Medtronic plc
  • Manufacturer comment
    “If our surveillance systems identify a potential performance issue, our personnel promptly evaluate the problem, including, when appropriate, conducting root cause investigations and internal testing to assess whether the product continues to meet specifications and defined performance criteria,” Medtronic told ICIJ in a statement. “In some cases, based on this evaluation, Medtronic may determine that a recall is necessary.” The company said that it communicates with healthcare providers and/or patients and provide recommendations to address such issues. Medtronic noted that these communications can include letters, emails, calls, press releases, physician notifications and social media postings, as well as informing the FDA and other regulators of the actions.
  • Source
    USFDA