Programmer, Pacemaker

Reports per year

Source: FDA adverse event reports by year received, 2012–2026. Reporting paused during the 2026 MAUDE-to-AEMS transition and has since resumed.

Recent recalls

• 2025-07-17Open, ClassifiedSoftware design

  Medtronic SmartLink Software loaded on SmartSync Patient Connector, Model Number 24967 with the following software components: 1. Azure Astra application, Software Model Number D00U003; 2. Percepta Serena Solara application, Software Model Number D00U004; 3. Cobalt Crome application, Software Model Number D00U005; 4. Micra VR application, Software Model Number D00U006; 5. Micra AV application, Software Model Number D00U007; 6. Viva Consulta Syncra Advisa Ensura application, Software Model Number D00U008; 7. Claria Amplia Compia application, Software Model Number D00U009; 8. Evera MRI application, Software Model Number D00U010; 9. Visia AF application, Software Model Number D00U011; 10. Viva Brava Evera application, Software Model Number D00U012; 11. Micra VR2 AV2 application, Software Model Number D00U022.

  A software update for Medtronic CareLink SmartSync Device Manager (SmartSync) is now available. The update eliminates the potential display of an erroneous electrical reset (pop-up) message upon interrogation with a SmartSync Device Manager. The erroneous message indicates an electrical reset has occurred. However, no reset has actually occurred and there are no parameter changes or loss of diagnostics. Prior to this software update, if an erroneous SmartSync message was displayed, confusion regarding the message could have caused a clinician to consider an unnecessary system revision. Medtronic has received 39 reports of this display error with two instances of unnecessary device explant through 30 April 2025.

• 2025-07-17Open, ClassifiedSoftware design

  Medtronic SmartLink software loaded on CareLink SmartSync Device Manager, Model Number 24967A with the following software components: 1. Azure Astra application, Software Model Number D00U003; 2. Percepta Serena Solara application, Software Model Number D00U004; 3. Cobalt Crome application, Software Model Number D00U005; 4. Micra VR application, Software Model Number D00U006; 5. Micra AV application, Software Model Number D00U007; 6. Viva Consulta Syncra Advisa Ensura application, Software Model Number D00U008; 7. Claria Amplia Compia application, Software Model Number D00U009; 8. Evera MRI application, Software Model Number D00U010; 9. Visia AF application, Software Model Number D00U011; 10. Viva Brava Evera application, Software Model Number D00U012; 11. Micra VR2 AV2 application, Software Model Number D00U022.

  A software update for Medtronic CareLink SmartSync Device Manager (SmartSync) is now available. The update eliminates the potential display of an erroneous electrical reset (pop-up) message upon interrogation with a SmartSync Device Manager. The erroneous message indicates an electrical reset has occurred. However, no reset has actually occurred and there are no parameter changes or loss of diagnostics. Prior to this software update, if an erroneous SmartSync message was displayed, confusion regarding the message could have caused a clinician to consider an unnecessary system revision. Medtronic has received 39 reports of this display error with two instances of unnecessary device explant through 30 April 2025.

• 2010-10-07TerminatedNonconforming Material/Component

  Guidant, Vitality HE ICD, Model: T180DDR, Sterile Lot, Guidant Corporation, Cardiac Rhythm Management, 4100 Hamline Avenue North, St. Paul, MN 55112-5798.

  Exposure to a magnet (typically in a clinic/hospital environment) may cause a magnetic reed switch to become permanently stuck in a closed position in certain Boston Scientific CRT-Ds and ICDs (CONTAK RENEWAL 3 / 3 RF / 4 / 4 RF and VITALITY HE implantable defibrillators). This prevents delivery of programmed tachy therapy, and use of the Patient Triggered Monitor feature. This issue may require

• 2010-05-08TerminatedPMA

  VITALITY Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator. Atrial and Ventricular Therapies. AVT, model A155. VITALITY DS DR/VR (Models T125, T135), VITALITY 2 DR/VR (Models T165, T175) and VITALITY 2 EL DR/VR (Models T167, T177) Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator. Guidant Corporation Cardiac Rhythm Management, 4100 Hamline Avenue North, St. Paul, MN 55112-5798, USA.

  Boston Scientific Corporation has stopped shipment and is retrieving unimplanted devices from US hospital shelves of all its implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-Ds) after determining that some manufacturing process changes were not submitted for approval to the US Food & Drug Administration.

• 2006-12-19TerminatedOther

  St. Jude Medical APS III Programmer, used in combination with St. Jude Medical bradycardia and tachycardia devices. Model 3500/3510

  St. Jude Medical has identified a low-frequency anomaly in the software used in the APS III Model 3500/3510 and Merlin PCS Model 3650 programmers that can lead to incorrect reporting of battery voltage, expected battery longevity and Elective Replacement Indicator (ERI) status.

• 2006-12-19TerminatedOther

  St. Jude Medical Merlin PCS Programmer, used in combination with St. Jude Medical bradycardia and tachycardia devices. Model 3650

  St. Jude Medical has identified a low-frequency anomaly in the software used in the APS III Model 3500/3510 and Merlin PCS Model 3650 programmers that can lead to incorrect reporting of battery voltage, expected battery longevity and Elective Replacement Indicator (ERI) status.

• 2006-09-28TerminatedOther

  Guidant VENTAK PRIZM VR (model 1860) and VENTAK PRIZM DR (model 1861) Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (AICD), Dual Chamber, Sterilized with gaseous ethylene oxide. Guidant Corporation, Cardiac Rhythm Management, 4100 Hamline Avenue North, St. Paul, MN 55112-5798 USA. Quantities Distributed by model are as follows: VENTAK PRIZM VR model 1860 = 67; DR model 1861 = 108.

  Guidant has determined that low-voltage capacitors from a single component supplier may malfunction in a manner that can lead to premature battery depletion in the affected devices.

• 2005-08-03TerminatedOther

  PRIZM 2 DR, model 1861 Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator. Contents have been Sterilized with gaseous ethylene oxide. Guidant Corporation Cardiac Rhythm Management, 4100 Hamline Avenue North, St. Paul, MN 55112-5798, USA.

  Devices were manufactured with PEEK insulation material on the feedthrough wires and distributed prior to PMAS approval.

• 2005-06-30TerminatedOther

  Ventak PRIZM 2 DR, model 1861 Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (AICD), Dual Chamber, Sterilized with gaseous ethylene oxide. Guidant Corporation, Cardiac Rhythm Management, 4100 Hamline Avenue North, St. Paul, MN 55112-5798 USA. VENTAK PRIZM 2 ICDs are designed to detect and terminate ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) and provide bradycardia therapy.

  Laboratory analysis of returned devices revealed that deterioration in a wire insulator within the lead connector block, in conjuction with other factors, resulted in an electrical short. The short caused diversion of shock therapy energy away from the heart and into device circuitry.

• TerminatedSoftware Design Change

  The ORCHESTRA Programmer A portable device, equipped with a microprocessor used to program and interrogate Sorin implantable pacemakers and defibrillators. The programmer also provides measurement, ECG display and report printing functions that are essential for monitoring implant patients.

  Sorin Group USA, Inc. announces a voluntary field action for the ORCHESTRA Programmer and ORCHESTRA PLUS Programmer because the residual longevity estimate may be less accurate.