CLASS I Device recall · Reported 31 May 2017 · FDA Enforcement Report

HeartMate¿ II LVAS with Pocket Controller recalled by Thoratec

Thoratec is recalling HeartMate¿ II LVAS with Pocket Controller. The recall was initiated on 30 Mar 2017 and the FDA has classified it as Class I.

Check your package

Lot, batch or date codesSerial numbers PC-14810, PC-14828, PC-14843, PC-14846, and PC-14848.
Quantity recalled24,077 active units in US

Stop using the device if the notice says to, and contact the manufacturer or your healthcare provider for the correction or replacement.

Recall details

Recall number
Z-2052-2017
FDA event ID
76978
Recalling firm
Thoratec, Pleasanton, CA
Classification
Class I
Status
Terminated
Recall initiated
30 Mar 2017
FDA classified
24 May 2017
Reported
31 May 2017
Type
Voluntary: Firm initiated
Customers notified by
Letter
Reason category
Device Malfunction

Timeline

30 Mar 2017Recall initiated by company
24 May 2017Classified by FDA+55 days
31 May 2017Published in enforcement report+7 days

Companies usually start a recall weeks before the FDA classifies and publishes it; the gap above is that lag.

Reason for recall

St. Jude Medical is providing all users of their HeartMate II LVAS with Pocket Controller with new software and updates to hardware to make the exchange to a backup controller easier. This is related to recall Z-1227/1230-2014.

Device recalls are issued when a component, software or design fault could cause the device to fail or give wrong readings. Many are corrections applied in the field rather than physical returns.

Product as listed by the FDA

HeartMate¿ II LVAS with Pocket Controller; 106015 - HMII LVAD SEALED KIT-PCTRL, NA UDI: 00813024011224 Intended to provide hemodynamic support in patients with end-stage, refractory left ventricular heart failure; intended for use inside or outside the hospital.

Where it was distributed

Worldwide Distribution -- US and Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Columbia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malaysia, Orman, Palastine, Poland, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, The Netherlands, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.

Questions about this recall

Why was it recalled?

St. Jude Medical is providing all users of their HeartMate II LVAS with Pocket Controller with new software and updates to hardware to make the exchange to a backup controller easier. This is related to recall Z-1227/1230-2014.

Which lots are affected?

Serial numbers PC-14810, PC-14828, PC-14843, PC-14846, and PC-14848.

Where was it sold?

Worldwide Distribution -- US and Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Columbia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malaysia, Orman, Palastine, Poland, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, The Netherlands, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.

What should I do if I have it?

Stop using the device if the notice says to, and contact the manufacturer or your healthcare provider for the correction or replacement.

What does Class I mean?

Class I is the most serious FDA recall category: there is a reasonable probability that using the product will cause serious health consequences or death.

Read the official FDA notice · Source record retrieved 26 Sep 2026. The FDA describes openFDA data as unvalidated; the official notice takes precedence. This page reports the record and gives no medical advice.

Other products in this recall event

1 other product · FDA event 76978

This product is part of a recall event; the main page for the event is HeartMate¿ II LVAS with Pocket Controller recalled by Thoratec.

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