Thoratec Corp.

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.

Top device categories

• Ventricular (Assist) BypassDSQ6,212
• Prosthesis, Vascular Graft, Of 6mm And Greater DiameterDSY44
• Product code MOYMOY11
• Catheter, Cannula And Tubing, Vascular, Cardiopulmonary BypassDWF5
• Pump, Blood, Cardiopulmonary Bypass, Non-Roller TypeKFM5
• Control, Pump Speed, Cardiopulmonary BypassDWA3
• Instruments, Surgical, CardiovascularDWS3
• Knife, SurgicalEMF2
• Introducer, CatheterDYB1
• Glucose Dehydrogenase, GlucoseLFR1

Recent recalls

• 2024-06-07Open, ClassifiedDevice Design

  Thoratec HeartMate System Monitor, REF: 1286, L1286, 1286A, L1286A, 1286A-US, L1286A-US, 1286C, L1286C, L1386, 1286A-CAN, 1286INT and L1286INT. Left ventricular assist device

  System monitor screen may display atypical behavior: Overlapping screens/buttons, Frozen screen, Distorted text, blanks, or zeroes in place of values, Unresponsive buttons where the user is unable to initiate a command, which may lead to anxiety /inconvenience, hemodynamic compromise, extended surgical time, and Pump Stop command may be selected

• 2024-05-01Open, ClassifiedDevice Design

  Thoratec HeartMate 3, LVAS Implant Kit, REF:106524US, Sterile EO, RxOnly

  Potential for a leak path at the seal interface between the left ventricle assist system inflow cannula and the titanium apical cuff.

• 2024-05-01Open, ClassifiedDevice Design

  Thoratec HeartMate 3, LVAS Implant Kit, REF:106524INT, Sterile EO, RxOnly

  Potential for a leak path at the seal interface between the left ventricle assist system inflow cannula and the titanium apical cuff.

• 2024-03-22Open, ClassifiedMaterial/Component Contamination

  HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist System (LVAS): 1. HeartMate II Sealed Outflow Graft with Bend Relief REF 103393 2. HeartMate II LVAS Implant Kit, US REF 106015 3. HeartMate II LVAS Implant Kit, OUS REF 106016 Update (February 14, 2024) HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist System (LVAS): 1. HeartMate II LVAS Implant Kit, OUS REF 102139 2. HeartMate II LVAS Implant Kit, US REF 1355 3. HeartMate II LVAS Implant Kit (with RSOC Controller), US REF 103695 4. HeartMate II LVAS Implant Kit (with RSOC Controller), OUS REF 103693 5. HeartMate II LVAS Implant Kit (with Sealed Graft), US REF 104911 6. HeartMate II LVAS Implant Kit (with Sealed Graft), OUS REF 104912 7. HeartMate II LVAS Implant Kit (Used for pump exchange, No Graft) REF 107801 8. HeartMate II LVAS Implant Kit, (EPC), CANADA REF 103695-CAN 9. HeartMate II LVAS Implant Kit (with Sealed Graft), JAPAN REF 104911JPN 10. HeartMate II LVAS Implant Kit (with Pocket System Controller and Sealed Grafts), for geographies outside of US & EU REF 106515OUS HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist System: The HeartMate II LVAS is an axial-flow, rotary ventricular assist system. One end of the Left Ventricular Assist Device is attached to the apex of the left ventricle; the other end of the device connects to the ascending aorta. The Left Ventricular Assist Device diverts blood from the weakened left ventricle and propels it to the aorta. A small external computer, the System Controller, monitors system operation. A driveline, which passes through the patient s abdomen, connects the implanted pump to the System Controller. The system is powered by a Power Module or Mobile Power Unit (MPU) that is connected to an AC electrical outlet, or by two HeartMate 14 Volt Lithium-Ion batteries.

  Observed outflow graft deformation known as Extrinsic Outflow Graft Obstruction (EOGO) associated with Left Ventricular Assist System.

• 2024-03-22Open, ClassifiedMaterial/Component Contamination

  HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Assist System (LVAS): 1. HeartMate 3 Sealed Outflow Graft with Bend Relief, Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) 2. HeartMate 3 Sealed Outflow Graft with Bend Relief, US 3. HeartMate 3 Sealed Outflow Graft with Bend Relief, OUS 4. HeartMate 3 LVAS Implant Kit, IDE 5. HeartMate 3 LVAS Implant Kit, US 6. HeartMate 3 LVAS Implant Kit, OUS HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Assist System: The HeartMate 3 LVAS is designed to provide therapeutic benefit to those affected with advanced heart failure. The LVAS assumes some or all of the workload of the left ventricle. The LVAS features a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), a blood pump intended for long-term implantation in such patients, an extracorporeal Controller, plus supporting equipment.

  Observed outflow graft deformation known as Extrinsic Outflow Graft Obstruction (EOGO) associated with Left Ventricular Assist System.

• 2024-02-02Open, ClassifiedSoftware design

  1. HeartMate Touch Communication System, REF HMT1100 2. HeartMate Touch Communication System, Rental REF HMT1100-R 3. HeartMate Touch Communication System, HMT1150 The HeartMate Touch Application is loaded onto a tablet and will provide a user interface with state-of-the-art hardware/software platforms for supporting LVAD patients. Along with being able to program and monitor the LVAS, the HeartMate Touch Application introduces features that enables users to setup pairing and connection with the existing HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Assist System (LVAS) via the HeartMate Touch Wireless Adapter and generate reports from the log files that are downloaded from the HM3 System Controller.

  Due to software and controller systems that results in unexpected pump start or pump stop.

• 2023-09-29Open, ClassifiedProcess control

  Heartmate 3 LVAS Implant Kit, REF: 106524US, 106524INT; Heartmate XVE & HeartMate II Apical Coring Knife, REF: 1050

  Inability to start and/or complete the coring procedure due to inadequate sharpness of the Apical Coring Knife, provided with Left Ventricular Assist System, could result in an extended procedure or surgical time while the backup coring knife is acquired.

• 2019-04-19TerminatedDevice Design

  Thoratec HeartMate 3 Coring Tool, Sterile EO, Rx Only, REF 10005872, an optional accessory of Thoratec HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Assist System - Product Usage: The HeartMate 3 Coring Tool is intended for use with the HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Assist System (LVAS). The Coring Tool provides a means to resect a plug of myocardium from the left ventricle, which allows for HeartMate 3 inflow cannula insertion.

  Small black plastic particle was observed in the left ventricle during implant procedure.

• 2010-10-13TerminatedDevice Design

  HeartMate II System Controller, a component of the HeartMate II Left Ventricular Device System (LVAS), distributed both as stand alone devices and as components of the LVAS Implant kit. Manufactured/Distributed by Thoratec Corporation, Pleasanton, CA The HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist System (LVAS) consists of an implantable blood pump connected to an eternal system controller by a percutaneous lead. The external controller is powered bye either batteries or a power supply that connects to AC Main power. The device is intended for use as a bridge to transplantation in cardiac transplant candidates at risk of imminent death from non-reversible left ventricular failure. It is also for use in patients with New York Heart Association class IIIB or IV end-stage left ventricular

  Connection failure-- product may malfunction because of bent pins or broken wires in power cord connection

• 2009-11-24TerminatedOther

  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 ventricular failure who have received optimal medical therapy for at least 45 of the last 60 days and who are not candidates for cardiac transplantation. The HeartMate II and XVE LVAS are intended for use both inside and outside the hospital, for transportation of Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) patients via ground ambulance, fixed-wing aircraft or helicopter. The devices consist of an implantable blood pump connected to an external System Controller by a percutaneous lead. The external controller is powered by AC electrical power, via the Power Module or Power Base Unit, or by battery power with a pair of rechargeable HeartMate batteries. Two batteries are used simultaneously for power. The LVAS is also designed to operate on a single battery, facilitating battery changes without interruption of VAD support.

  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