Certitude Delivery System by Edwards Lifesciences: Class I Recall - Mold Overflow Defect Which May Obstruct Blood Flow

Model/Item Numbers: 9600CT20A, 9600CT23A, 9600CT26A, 9600CT29A, 9600SDS20A, 9600SDS23A, 9600SDS26A, 9600SDS29A

AUDIENCE: Risk Manager, Cardiology, Surgery

ISSUE: Edwards LifeSciences is recalling its Certitude Delivery System due to a molding overflow defect in the button valve within the loader. The overflow material could detach during placement of the delivery system and potentially embolize into the patient.

Such an embolism could obstruct blood flow to critical organs, leading to serious injury and/or a need to surgically extract the overflow material from the patient. In dire situations, severe neurologic, cardiac, limb, renal, or gastrointestinal injury may result.

Lot Numbers: Select lot numbers between 60677270 and 60990824.
Manufacturing Dates: November 22, 2016 to July 10, 2017
Distribution Dates: January 9, 2017 to July 17, 2017

BACKGROUND: The Edwards LifeSciences Certitude Delivery System is used for delivery of the Edwards SAPIEN 3 transcatheter heart valve (THV), typically used during a transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

The Certitude Delivery System includes a balloon catheter that expands a compressed (crimped) THV, a loader that delivers the THV through the guiding tube, and extension tubing. During a procedure, the physician will first crimp the THV onto the balloon of the Certitude Delivery System. The Certitude Delivery System is then inserted into the body, usually during a transapical (inserted through small incision under left breast) or transaortic (inserted through small incision in the top right side of the chest) approach. The THV is then deployed through the guiding tube to the site of the native stenotic aortic valve, where it is expanded and fixed in place.

RECOMMENDATION: On July 21, 2017, Edwards LifeSciences sent affected customers a "Recall Notification Letter" informing them of the device's risks. In the letter, Edwards LifeSciences directed customers to:

Complete the "Acknowledgement Form" that accompanied the Recall Notification Letter.
Check all inventory for affected models of the Certitude Delivery System.
Return the "Acknowledgement Form" and all affected models of the Certitude Delivery System to Edwards LifeSciences as indicated in the Recall Notification Letter.

Customers with questions regarding this recall may contact Edwards Customer Service at 1-800-424-3278, from 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Pacific Time).

Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report
Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

Read the MedWatch Safety Alert, including a link to the recall notice, at:
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm592098.htm