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
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 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) | Reports | Share | Share across product code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Device difficult to program or calibrate | 1,668 | 26.6% | 14% |
| No display/image | 1,396 | 22.3% | 12.9% |
| Display or visual feedback problem | 1,238 | 19.8% | 6.6% |
| Output problem | 927 | 14.8% | 6.6% |
| Computer operating system problem | 611 | 9.8% | 8.3% |
| Failure to calibrate | 492 | 7.9% | 4.6% |
| Unexpected shutdown | 449 | 7.2% | 3.1% |
| Computer software problema software problem | 418 | 6.7% | 7.2% |
| Overheating of device | 292 | 4.7% | 2.6% |
| Failure to power up | 254 | 4.1% | 3.6% |
| Mechanical problema mechanical problem | 240 | 3.8% | 4% |
| Problem with software installation | 200 | 3.2% | 2% |
| Electrical /electronic property probleman electrical or electronic problem | 147 | 2.3% | 8.4% |
| Noise, audible | 142 | 2.3% | 1.6% |
| Failure to interrogate | 133 | 2.1% | 3.1% |
| Power problem | 130 | 2.1% | 2.9% |
| Breakthe device broke | 121 | 1.9% | 1.9% |
| Connection problema connection problem | 107 | 1.7% | 2.9% |
| Communication or transmission problemthe device could not communicate or transmit | 102 | 1.6% | 9.1% |
| Data problem | 87 | 1.4% | 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) | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| No patient involvement | 785 | 12.5% |
| Shockshock, a collapse of the circulation | 8 | 0.1% |
| Asystole | 3 | 0% |
| Cardiac arrestthe heart stopped | 3 | 0% |
| Dizzinesslight-headedness or unsteadiness | 3 | 0% |
| Loss of consciousnesspassing out | 3 | 0% |
| Shock from patient lead(s) | 3 | 0% |
| Syncope/fainting | 3 | 0% |
| Discomfortdiscomfort | 2 | 0% |
| Painpain, site not specified | 2 | 0% |
| Anxietyanxiety | 1 | 0% |
| Bradycardiaslow heart rate | 1 | 0% |
| Chest painchest pain | 1 | 0% |
| Electric shockan electric shock | 1 | 0% |
| Injurya physical injury | 1 | 0% |
Patient problem codes are present mainly in reports filed since 2019 and are often blank.
In context
| Measure | Carelink Programmer | Product code KRG | All MAUDE reports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reports | 6,264 | 24,211 | 26,136,888 |
| Share of that pool | — | 25.9% | 0% |
| Classified as death, per 1,000 reports | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| Classified as injury | 0.7% | 3.2% | 36.2% |
| Classified as malfunction | 99.3% | 96.7% | 62.3% |
| Filed by the manufacturer | 100% | 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
| Brand | Reports | Latest 12 months | Classified as death |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carelink | 15,005 | 18 | 0% |
| CareLink Encore Programmer | 1,343 | 103 | 0% |
| Pacing System Analyzer | 607 | 92 | 0% |
| SmartTouch | 668 | 132 | 0% |
| Orchestra | 713 | 0 | 0.1% |
| Merlin Programmer | 1,425 | 26 | 0.1% |
| Vitality 2 | 4,779 | 0 | 1% |
| Carelink Encore | 368 | 0 | 0% |
| Medtronic Carelink Programmer With Analyzer | 173 | 31 | 0% |
| Vitality | 2,095 | 0 | 0.9% |
| Zoom | 441 | 3 | 0% |
| N'vision | 269 | 0 | 0.7% |
| Vitality Avt | 1,235 | 0 | 2.3% |
| Carelink System | 343 | 0 | 0.3% |
| Carelink Program W/Telemetry C | 1,681 | 0 | 0% |
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.