Reported Reactions

Devices › Programmer, pacemaker

Device brand name · Programmer pacemaker

Carelink Programmer: medical device reports filed with FDA

6,264 reports name it, 2019–2026. Manufacturer given most often on reports: Medtronic. Product code KRG.

6,264
device reports naming the brand
0% of all MAUDE reports · about 846 a year
546
reports, 12 months to August 2026
674 in the 12 months before
99.3%
classified as malfunction
96.7% across the product code
0%
classified as death, as reported
1 reports · not verified by FDA

FDA's MAUDE database holds 6,264 reports that name the brand "Carelink Programmer" (programmer pacemaker), received between February 2019 and August 2026; the manufacturer given most often on reports is Medtronic. Spellings of one product vary from report to report.

546 reports arrived in the 12 months to August 2026, down 19% from 674 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 malfunction (99.3%) and injury (0.7%); across all programmer, pacemaker reports (product code KRG) death is recorded in 0.1% and malfunction in 96.7%. Event type is the reporter's classification of the report, not a verified outcome.

The device problems coded most often are device difficult to program or calibrate (26.6%), no display/image (22.3%) and display or visual feedback problem (19.8%). The patient problems coded most often are no patient involvement, shock and asystole. 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

0102203Sep 2021: 86Oct 2021: 73Nov 2021: 88Dec 2021: 712022Jan 2022: 63Feb 2022: 67Mar 2022: 94Apr 2022: 84May 2022: 75Jun 2022: 60Jul 2022: 76Aug 2022: 80Sep 2022: 56Oct 2022: 86Nov 2022: 100Dec 2022: 662023Jan 2023: 65Feb 2023: 69Mar 2023: 70Apr 2023: 47May 2023: 41Jun 2023: 65Jul 2023: 70Aug 2023: 66Sep 2023: 53Oct 2023: 62Nov 2023: 60Dec 2023: 422024Jan 2024: 66Feb 2024: 38Mar 2024: 53Apr 2024: 36May 2024: 35Jun 2024: 19Jul 2024: 60Aug 2024: 203Sep 2024: 120Oct 2024: 95Nov 2024: 78Dec 2024: 552025Jan 2025: 29Feb 2025: 39Mar 2025: 25Apr 2025: 35May 2025: 31Jun 2025: 29Jul 2025: 68Aug 2025: 70Sep 2025: 41Oct 2025: 50Nov 2025: 53Dec 2025: 492026Jan 2026: 55Feb 2026: 74Mar 2026: 66Apr 2026: 45May 2026: 21Jun 2026: 25Jul 2026: 41Aug 2026: 26

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

06201,2402019: 50520192020: 1,24020202021: 1,17220212022: 90720222023: 71020232024: 85820242025: 51920252026: 3532026

Event type and report source

Event type, as classified on the report

Death0%1
Injury0.7%44
Malfunction99.3%6,219
Other0%0
Not given0%0

Who filed the report

Manufacturer report100%6,264
Voluntary report0%0
User facility report0%0
Distributor report0%0
Not given0%0

Grey bar: all 24,211 reports carrying product code KRG. Event type is the filer's classification and is not verified by FDA.

Device problems coded

Device problem (FDA code)ReportsShareShare across product code
Device difficult to program or calibrate1,66826.6%14%
No display/image1,39622.3%12.9%
Display or visual feedback problem1,23819.8%6.6%
Output problem92714.8%6.6%
Computer operating system problem6119.8%8.3%
Failure to calibrate4927.9%4.6%
Unexpected shutdown4497.2%3.1%
Computer software problema software problem4186.7%7.2%
Overheating of device2924.7%2.6%
Failure to power up2544.1%3.6%
Mechanical problema mechanical problem2403.8%4%
Problem with software installation2003.2%2%
Electrical /electronic property probleman electrical or electronic problem1472.3%8.4%
Noise, audible1422.3%1.6%
Failure to interrogate1332.1%3.1%
Power problem1302.1%2.9%
Breakthe device broke1211.9%1.9%
Connection problema connection problem1071.7%2.9%
Communication or transmission problemthe device could not communicate or transmit1021.6%9.1%
Data problem871.4%1.4%

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)ReportsShare
No patient involvement78512.5%
Shockshock, a collapse of the circulation80.1%
Asystole30%
Cardiac arrestthe heart stopped30%
Dizzinesslight-headedness or unsteadiness30%
Loss of consciousnesspassing out30%
Shock from patient lead(s)30%
Syncope/fainting30%
Discomfortdiscomfort20%
Painpain, site not specified20%
Anxietyanxiety10%
Bradycardiaslow heart rate10%
Chest painchest pain10%
Electric shockan electric shock10%
Injurya physical injury10%

Patient problem codes are present mainly in reports filed since 2019 and are often blank.

In context

MeasureCarelink ProgrammerProduct code KRGAll MAUDE reports
Reports6,26424,21126,136,888
Share of that pool—25.9%0%
Classified as death, per 1,000 reports019
Classified as injury0.7%3.2%36.2%
Classified as malfunction99.3%96.7%62.3%
Filed by the manufacturer100%99.9%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 KRG

BrandReportsLatest 12 monthsClassified as death
Carelink15,005180%
CareLink Encore Programmer1,3431030%
Pacing System Analyzer607920%
SmartTouch6681320%
Orchestra71300.1%
Merlin Programmer1,425260.1%
Vitality 24,77901%
Carelink Encore36800%
Medtronic Carelink Programmer With Analyzer173310%
Vitality2,09500.9%
Zoom44130%
N'vision26900.7%
Vitality Avt1,23502.3%
Carelink System34300.3%
Carelink Program W/Telemetry C1,68100%

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 Carelink Programmer reports

How many FDA reports name Carelink Programmer?

6,264 medical device reports in the openFDA MAUDE release of 28 Sep 2026, covering reports received through August 2026; 546 in the latest 12 months.

What kinds of events are reported?

malfunction (99.3%) and injury (0.7%). "Event type" is how the report was classified when filed: death, injury, malfunction or other.

What device problems are coded?

device difficult to program or calibrate (26.6%), no display/image (22.3%), display or visual feedback problem (19.8%), output problem (14.8%) and computer operating system problem (9.8%). These are FDA's device problem codes as entered on the report.

Who files these reports?

manufacturer reports (100%). Manufacturers and user facilities are required to report; voluntary reports come from health professionals and the public.

Do these reports show that Carelink Programmer 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.