Medtronic LVAD Device Discontinued After Alarming Mortality Rates

In a concerning development, a 2019 audit conducted by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) in the UK has exposed stark differences in the performance of two leading left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) used to treat heart failure patients.

The audit found that of the 119 patients who had received the Medtronic HVAD device, a staggering 45% - or 54 patients - had died within two years. In contrast, only 15% - 15 out of 97 patients - who were given the Abbott Heartmate III pump had died over the same period. The audit also noted significantly higher rates of complications, such as strokes or the need for a new pump, with the Medtronic device.

Remarkably, one of the UK's six transplant centers, the Royal Papworth Hospital, had already stopped using the Medtronic device in February 2018 after considering the results of clinical trials and deeming the Abbott pump as superior. However, two other hospitals, Harefield and Freeman, continued to use the Medtronic device until 2021, when the manufacturer finally withdrew it from sale "in the interest of patient safety."

Tragically, during the period between the initial 2018 NHS data and the 2021 discontinuation of the Medtronic pump, the mortality rate for patients receiving the device was two-and-a-half times higher than those with the Abbott pump. Specifically, 49% of Medtronic recipients (39 out of 80 patients) died within three years, compared to just 19% of Abbott recipients (20 out of 106 patients).

This alarming data highlights the critical importance of closely monitoring medical device performance and prioritizing patient safety above all else. The discontinuation of the Medtronic HVAD device is a sobering reminder that even established products can pose significant risks if not rigorously evaluated and improved upon.