Datascope/Getinge Recalls Cardiosave Hybrid and Rescue Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumps

January 25, 2023 — According to a new release from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Datascope, a subsidiary of Getinge, is recalling Cardiosave Hybrid IABPs and Rescue IABPs because a compromised intra-aortic balloon (a burst, leaking, or torn balloon) can cause blood to enter the IABP during therapy. Blood in the pump can cause risks such as an unexpected device shutdown, helium to be released into the patient’s blood, patient blood loss, potential blood cross-contamination between patients and/or a potential biohazard to the user and/or the service personnel.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified this as a Class I recall, the most serious type of recall. Use of these devices may cause serious injuries, serious health consequences, or death.

Recalled Product

Product Name:

Cardiosave Hybrid Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) and Cardiosave Rescue Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP)
Product Models: See Medical Device Recall Database entry
Distribution Dates: March 6, 2012 to present
Devices Recalled in the U.S.: 4,454
Date Initiated by Firm: December 19, 2022

Device Use

The Cardiosave Hybrid Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) and the Cardiosave Rescue IABP are electromechanical systems used to inflate and deflate intra-aortic balloons. These systems provide temporary support to the left ventricle through counter pulsation. Once the balloon is positioned in the aorta, the pump is set to work in synchrony with the electrocardiogram or arterial pressure waveform to make the balloon inflate and deflate at the right time during the cardiac cycle.

Cardiosave Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumps are indicated for acute coronary syndrome, cardiac and non-cardiac surgery, or complications of heart failure in adults. They are used in health care facilities.

Reason for Recall

Datascope, a subsidiary of Getinge, is recalling Cardiosave Hybrid IABPs and Rescue IABPs because a compromised intra-aortic balloon (a burst, leaking, or torn balloon) can cause blood to enter the IABP during therapy (a blood back event). Blood in the pump can cause the following issues:

Unexpected pump shutdown if blood comes in contact with electrical components. A pump shutdown can lead to unstable blood flow (hemodynamic instability), organ damage and/or death, especially for people who are critically ill and most likely to receive therapy using these devices.
If therapy continues, patients may have helium released into their blood. Helium gas bubbles (gas emboli) in the blood can damage organs (including the brain).
Patient blood loss
The user and/or subsequent maintenance or service personnel can be exposed to an unexpected biohazard should proper containment precautions not be taken.
If the affected IABP is not evaluated before use with a new patient, that new patient may be exposed to cross-contaminated blood, which also exposes them to the potential for life-long bacterial and viral diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.

Datascope/Getinge has reported 134 complaints about this issue, including 12 device shutdowns and 5 adverse events (4 serious injuries and 1 death).

Who May be Affected

People who receive circulatory support using a CardioSave Hybrid or Rescue IABP
Health care personnel providing care that includes the CardioSave Hybrid or Rescue IABP
Users, and/or maintenance or service personnel providing service to the CardioSave Hybrid or Rescue IABPs

What to Do

On December 19, 2022, Datascope/Getinge sent customers an Urgent Medical Device Recall letter. The letter offered the following clinical guidelines and user actions.

Clinical Guidelines

Do not bypass intra-aortic balloon (IAB) alarms and pay close attention to alarm notifications as that may help identify a perforated balloon earlier and prevent blood from traveling into the IABP. These include:
- Autofill Failure – Blood Suspected
- Autofill Failure
- Gas Gain in IAB Circuit
- Gas Loss in IAB Circuit
- IAB Catheter Restriction
Periodically check the IAB catheter tubing for blood both throughout therapy and when the alarms occur. If any blood is noted or perforation is suspected, the following procedure must be performed immediately:
- Stop pumping by placing IABP console in Standby.
- Disconnect the catheter extender tubing from the IABP console to allow the balloon to deflate.
- Clamp extracorporeal tubing between white y-fitting and male connector.
- Place the patient in Trendelenburg as tolerated to guide any residual helium to travel away from the head vessels.
- Notify physician and prepare for IAB catheter removal.
- Consider IAB catheter replacement if the patient’s condition warrants.
- If blood is suspected of having entered the pump, take pump out of service. Have it evaluated before further use by Biomed/Technical Service to determine if replacement of contaminated components are necessary.

The letter’s guidance augments current clinical recommendations for how to manage patients if an intra-aortic balloon is damaged. It also notes that clinical care providers should maintain established patient and device management strategies regarding timing to IAB catheter removal.

Device User Actions

Examine inventory immediately to identify any Cardiosave Hybrid and/or Rescue IABPs.
If a blood back event is suspected, clinicians are to remove the Cardiosave from patient use, and report the event to appropriate biomedical engineering staff for inspection of the safety disk prior to next patient use.
Ensure that all Cardiosave Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump users are aware of this notice and actions to perform.
Distribute the above clinical guidance to users per institution policy.
Complete and sign the MEDICAL DEVICE CORRECTION – RESPONSE form included with the letter to acknowledge receipt of notification. Return the completed form to Datascope/Getinge by e-mailing a scanned copy to [email protected] or by faxing the form to 1-877-690-5160.
Distributors should forward the letter to any customers who received affected products.

Contact Information

Customers with questions about this recall should contact their Datascope/Getinge representative or call Datascope/Getinge Technical Support at 1-888-943-8872, options 4, 2, 1, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).