Devices › Transcatheter septal occluder
Device brand name · Transcatheter septal occluder
Amplatzer PFO Occluder: medical device reports filed with FDA
598 reports name it, 2005–2026. Manufacturer given most often on reports: Abbott Medical. Product code MLV.
- 598
- device reports naming the brand
- 0% of all MAUDE reports · about 29 a year
- 42
- reports, 12 months to August 2026
- 69 in the 12 months before
- 45.7%
- classified as malfunction
- 37.8% across the product code
- 2.8%
- classified as death, as reported
- 17 reports · not verified by FDA
FDA's MAUDE database holds 598 reports that name the brand "Amplatzer PFO Occluder" (transcatheter septal occluder), received between August 2005 and August 2026; the manufacturer given most often on reports is Abbott Medical. Spellings of one product vary from report to report.
42 reports arrived in the 12 months to August 2026, down 39% from 69 in the 12 months before. FDA releases MAUDE data monthly; reports can arrive months after an event, so the newest months grow in later releases. The event types recorded are injury (51.5%), malfunction (45.7%) and death (2.8%); across all transcatheter septal occluder reports (product code MLV) death is recorded in 2.8% and malfunction in 37.8%. Event type is the reporter's classification of the report, not a verified outcome.
The device problems coded most often are material deformation (25.4%), difficult to fold, unfold or collapse (22.4%) and patient device interaction problem (11.2%). The patient problems coded most often are atrial fibrillation, stroke/cva and transient ischemic attack. FDA states that "MDR data alone cannot be used to establish rates of events, evaluate a change in event rates over time or compare event rates between devices. The number of reports cannot be interpreted or used in isolation to reach conclusions about the existence, severity, or frequency of problems associated with devices." It adds that the reporting system "has limitations, including the potential submission of incomplete, inaccurate, untimely, unverified, or biased data."
Reports by month, five years
Reports by the month FDA received them. FDA releases MAUDE data monthly; reports can arrive months after an event, so the newest months grow in later releases.
By year received
Event type and report source
Event type, as classified on the report
Who filed the report
Grey bar: all 6,948 reports carrying product code MLV. Event type is the filer's classification and is not verified by FDA.
Device problems coded
| Device problem (FDA code) | Reports | Share | Share across product code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material deformation | 152 | 25.4% | 11.8% |
| Difficult to fold, unfold or collapse | 134 | 22.4% | 26.5% |
| Patient device interaction problem | 67 | 11.2% | 5% |
| Migration or expulsion of device | 43 | 7.2% | 14.5% |
| Biocompatibility | 27 | 4.5% | 1.4% |
| Human-device interface problem | 15 | 2.5% | 0.6% |
| Patient-device incompatibilitythe device did not suit the patient | 14 | 2.3% | 2.8% |
| Unintended movement | 14 | 2.3% | 2.3% |
| Off-label use | 11 | 1.8% | 2.4% |
| Improper or incorrect procedure or method | 9 | 1.5% | 1.4% |
| Material protrusion/extrusion | 6 | 1% | 0.4% |
| Inadequacy of device shape and/or size | 4 | 0.7% | 2.3% |
| Insufficient device problem information | 4 | 0.7% | 3.8% |
| Leak/splashthe device leaked | 4 | 0.7% | 0.5% |
| Migrationthe device moved from where it was placed | 4 | 0.7% | 1.8% |
| Activation failure | 2 | 0.3% | 0.2% |
| Failure to disconnect | 2 | 0.3% | 0% |
| Obstruction of flow | 2 | 0.3% | 0.1% |
| Backflow | 1 | 0.2% | 0% |
| Compatibility problem | 1 | 0.2% | 0% |
FDA's device problem codes as entered on the report; one report can carry several. Generic codes such as "no apparent adverse event" are left out.
Patient problems coded
| Patient problem (FDA code) | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Atrial fibrillationan irregular heart rhythm | 57 | 9.5% |
| Stroke/cva | 51 | 8.5% |
| Transient ischemic attack | 34 | 5.7% |
| Hemorrhage/blood loss/bleeding | 27 | 4.5% |
| Pericardial effusionfluid around the heart | 26 | 4.3% |
| Arrhythmia | 20 | 3.3% |
| Thrombosis/thrombus | 19 | 3.2% |
| Chest painchest pain | 10 | 1.7% |
| Erosion | 10 | 1.7% |
| Headachehead pain | 10 | 1.7% |
| Cardiac tamponade | 9 | 1.5% |
| Hypersensitivity/allergic reaction | 9 | 1.5% |
| Tachycardiafast heart rate | 9 | 1.5% |
| Air embolism | 8 | 1.3% |
| Embolism/embolus | 8 | 1.3% |
Patient problem codes are present mainly in reports filed since 2019 and are often blank.
In context
| Measure | Amplatzer PFO Occluder | Product code MLV | All MAUDE reports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reports | 598 | 6,948 | 26,136,888 |
| Share of that pool | — | 8.6% | 0% |
| Classified as death, per 1,000 reports | 28 | 28 | 9 |
| Classified as injury | 51.5% | 58.1% | 36.2% |
| Classified as malfunction | 45.7% | 37.8% | 62.3% |
| Filed by the manufacturer | 99.8% | 97.4% | 94.9% |
Shares are of reports, not of devices in use. FDA states that "MDR data alone cannot be used to establish rates of events, evaluate a change in event rates over time or compare event rates between devices. The number of reports cannot be interpreted or used in isolation to reach conclusions about the existence, severity, or frequency of problems associated with devices." It adds that the reporting system "has limitations, including the potential submission of incomplete, inaccurate, untimely, unverified, or biased data."
Other brands with product code MLV
| Brand | Reports | Latest 12 months | Classified as death |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amplatzer Septal Occluder | 3,495 | 406 | 2.4% |
| GORE CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder | 535 | 80 | 1.3% |
| Amplatzer Talisman PFO Occluder | 426 | 125 | 0.9% |
| Gore Helex Septal Occluder | 279 | 0 | 0.4% |
| Amplatzer Cribriform Occluder | 279 | 0 | 0.4% |
| GORE CARDIOFORM ASD Occluder | 274 | 57 | 0.7% |
| Amplatzer Multi-Fenestrated Septal Occluder - Cribriform | 255 | 63 | 0.4% |
| Amplatzer Muscular VSD Occluder | 242 | 44 | 9.1% |
| Amplatzer Duct Occluder | 513 | 83 | 2.1% |
| Amplatzer Torqvue Delivery System | 208 | 29 | 7.2% |
| GORE DrySeal Flex Introducer Sheath | 1,177 | 283 | 5.3% |
Ordered by report count for navigation only. FDA states that "MDR data alone cannot be used to establish rates of events, evaluate a change in event rates over time or compare event rates between devices. The number of reports cannot be interpreted or used in isolation to reach conclusions about the existence, severity, or frequency of problems associated with devices." It adds that the reporting system "has limitations, including the potential submission of incomplete, inaccurate, untimely, unverified, or biased data." FDA also states that "common products may have a higher number of adverse events due to the higher total number of people using the product."
Questions about Amplatzer PFO Occluder reports
How many FDA reports name Amplatzer PFO Occluder?
598 medical device reports in the openFDA MAUDE release of 28 Sep 2026, covering reports received through August 2026; 42 in the latest 12 months.
What kinds of events are reported?
injury (51.5%), malfunction (45.7%) and death (2.8%). "Event type" is how the report was classified when filed: death, injury, malfunction or other.
What device problems are coded?
material deformation (25.4%), difficult to fold, unfold or collapse (22.4%), patient device interaction problem (11.2%), migration or expulsion of device (7.2%) and biocompatibility (4.5%). These are FDA's device problem codes as entered on the report.
Who files these reports?
manufacturer reports (99.8%) and voluntary reports (0.2%). Manufacturers and user facilities are required to report; voluntary reports come from health professionals and the public.
Do these reports show that Amplatzer PFO Occluder was at fault?
No. FDA states that "MDR data alone cannot be used to establish rates of events, evaluate a change in event rates over time or compare event rates between devices. The number of reports cannot be interpreted or used in isolation to reach conclusions about the existence, severity, or frequency of problems associated with devices." It adds that the reporting system "has limitations, including the potential submission of incomplete, inaccurate, untimely, unverified, or biased data." FDA adds that "a causal relationship cannot be established between product and reactions listed in a report."
How do I report a problem with a medical device?
Through FDA MedWatch (Form FDA 3500 for health professionals and consumers), or to the manufacturer. See the guide on how to report.
Where this comes from. Counts are built from the openFDA Device Adverse Event (MAUDE) bulk export released 28 Sep 2026, which holds reports FDA received through 31 Aug 2026. Brand, generic and manufacturer names are as written on the reports; product code names come from FDA's device classification. A report counts here when any device it lists carries this brand name after punctuation and capitalisation are normalised. No report narrative, lot number, patient detail or reporter identity is published. See the methodology and sources; FDA's record is authoritative, and corrections are handled within five working days.
Drug data (FAERS) through 30 Jun 2026; device data (MAUDE) through 31 Aug 2026. Not medical advice.