Thoratec Corp. last month issued a worldwide recall of the HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Systems device.
According to the company’s press release, wear and fatigue of the percutaneous lead can cause the pump to stop working. At least five people have died while using the device and the company has received 27 reports of wear and fatigue to the electrical wire.
The mishaps occurred over the past five years with 1,972 implants. The pumps were distributed to 153 hospitals in throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and other countries.
The recall affects devices with catalog numbers 1355 and 102139. The Lowe Law firm has experience with with defective medical devices and in particular the Thoratec Heartmate LVAD’s. We are currently representing the family of a man who died due to the failure of the Thoratec Heartmate II.
If your life has been affected by a defective medical product, we can help. Contact Carey, Danis & Lowe in St. Louis, Missouri to discuss your case.