Safety advisory posted after four deaths from HeartMate II® LVAS Pocket System Controller

Medical device not being recalled

After four deaths and five reports of loss of consciousness or other symptoms of hypo-perfusion, Thoratec Corporation initiated a voluntary worldwide medical device correction to update its labeling and training materials for the HeartMate II® LVAS Pocket System Controller (the “Pocket Controller”). This safety advisory is being issued because some patients and caregivers have experienced difficulties with the process of changing from a primary system controller to their backup system controller. 

Out of the nine events listed, eight occurred in patients who were converted to the Pocket Controller after being originally trained on an older model, the EPC System Controller. Two of the deaths occurred in patients who attempted to exchange system controllers while alone and, contrary to the labeling, without contacting the hospital first. 

An Urgent Medical Device Correction Letter was sent to hospitals on March 4. It reported the incident rate during the past year and a half since the introduction of the Pocket System Controller in August 2012.

Thoratec’s investigations of these reports have not revealed any failures of the devices to meet specifications or deficiencies in quality control procedures. Therefore, no product needs to be returned to Thoratec.

Consumers who have the HeartMate II LVAS Pocket Controller should immediately contact their doctor for retraining on use of the device, and to receive updated Patient Handbook information. Physicians who prescribe the HeartMate II LVAS Pocket Controller should immediately review the updated labeling and training materials provided in the Urgent Medical Device Correction Letter with all clinical personnel responsible for training patients and caregivers on the use of the Pocket System Controller. All patients using the Pocket Controller and their caregivers should be retrained on the use of the device and be provided with updated Patient Handbook information.
The Urgent Medical Device Correction Letter applies to all HeartMate II LVAS Pocket Controllers manufactured and distributed worldwide. Distribution was initiated in the European Union in August 2012, and in the United States and Canada in May 2013. 

The Pocket Controller has been prescribed for 2,142 patients either at the time of the implantation of the HeartMate II LVAD, or as a replacement for an older System Controller model. This latter patient population, those receiving the Pocket Controller as a replacement for an older model, is at a higher risk of experiencing difficulty in the controller exchange process. These patients may not have received adequate training regarding the differences between the two controllers, especially differences related to the connection of the drive line.
The HeartMate II Pocket System Controller can be identified by the catalog number located on the labels of the various packaging configurations. The following device catalog numbers are affected by this action:
 

• HeartMate II Implant Kit with Pocket Controller: Catalog Numbers 106015 and 106016
• Pocket Controller: Catalog Numbers 106762 and 106017
• HeartMate II LVAD Pump and Pocket Controller Kit: Catalog Number 107801
• Pocket Controllers that have been removed from packaging: Model Number 105109 (found on side of each unit)

Hospitals with ongoing HeartMate II LVAS patients using the Pocket System Controller should contact Thoratec if they have any questions. 

While you cannot find this information under press releases on the company website, a copy of this press release can be found on Thoratec's website under Investors/SEC Filings, dated March 4. Also no photograph was made available. 
Clinicians and patients with questions may contact the company at 1-800-528-2577, or if calling from outside the USA, 1-925-847-8600 (seven days a week, 8-5 Pacific Time).
Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.