The Recall Desk
HighFDA (Devices)·Z-1203-2019·Announced 2019-05-01

Thoratec HeartMate 3 Coring Tool Recalled for Foreign Particle Contamination

Thoratec Corp. is recalling HeartMate 3 Coring Tools because a small black plastic particle was observed in a patient's left ventricle during an implant procedure.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a medical device with a foreign particle contamination risk during a surgical procedure. Per the rubric, this is classified as High (Score 3) because it is a risk-of-harm product where specific injury has not yet been reported in the source text, and it does not meet the criteria for Severe (Score 4) which requires hospitalization reports or significant injury reports.

Plain-English summary

Thoratec Corp. is recalling the Thoratec HeartMate 3 Coring Tool, an optional accessory used with the HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Assist System (LVAS). The recall involves 650 units distributed nationwide in the United States and in various foreign countries. The Coring Tool is intended to resect a plug of myocardium from the left ventricle to allow for the insertion of the HeartMate 3 inflow cannula.

The recall was initiated after a small black plastic particle was observed in the left ventricle during an implant procedure. The source text does not specify the number of affected patients or report any specific injuries or illnesses resulting from the contamination.

Healthcare providers and patients who have used or are scheduled to use the affected Coring Tools should contact Thoratec Corp. for further instructions. The recall covers specific lot numbers listed in the official FDA record Z-1203-2019.

The recalled product

Product
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 Cori
Manufacturer
Thoratec Corp.
Affected units
650

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

The notice also names 16 states specifically: