Thoratec Corp HeartMate 12 volt sealed lead acid Battery Clips that are components of the HeartMate II LVAS (PMA P060040) and the HeartMate XVE LVAS (PMA P920014) Systems. The HeartMate II and the HeartMate XVE LVAS are intended for use as a bridge to transplantation in cardiac transplant candidates at risk of imminent death from non-reversible left ventricular failure. The HeartMate XVE LVAS is also indicated for use in patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class IIIB or IV end-stage left ventricu Recall

Check Your Product

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Reason for Recall

As stated by FDA

Patient reports alerted Thoratec that during the process of disconnecting power leads from the battery clips, the threaded connector of the battery clip housing was observed to be loose, and in some cases dislodged from the battery clip housing. The problem affects HeartMate 12V SLA Battery Clips including those used for the HeartMate II LVAS and HeartMate XVE systems. If not detected and handled

Recommended Action

Per FDA guidance

Firm has issued a notification letter to consignees, dated October 14, 2009 asking them to return proof of receipt, and to remove all affected unused devices from stock, and asking ongoing patients to return to hospitals for inspection, replacement if needed, and retraining on the process of switching power sources and safely switching to a back-up system controller. Contact Thoratec Customer Services at 1-800-456-1477 for any questions or concerns about this issue.

Distribution

As reported by FDA

AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NE, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI