Devices › Ventricular (assist) bypass
Device brand name · Ventricular assist bypass
HeartMate 3 System Controller: medical device reports filed with FDA
3,473 reports name it, 2017–2026. Manufacturer given most often on reports: Thoratec. Product code DSQ.
- 3,473
- device reports naming the brand
- 0% of all MAUDE reports · about 393 a year
- 247
- reports, 12 months to August 2026
- 241 in the 12 months before
- 95.8%
- classified as malfunction
- 37% across the product code
- 0.3%
- classified as death, as reported
- 12 reports · not verified by FDA
FDA's MAUDE database holds 3,473 reports that name the brand "HeartMate 3 System Controller" (ventricular assist bypass), received between September 2017 and August 2026; the manufacturer given most often on reports is Thoratec. Spellings of one product vary from report to report.
247 reports arrived in the 12 months to August 2026, close to the 241 of 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 (95.8%), injury (3.9%) and death (0.3%); across all ventricular (assist) bypass reports (product code DSQ) death is recorded in 14.6% and malfunction in 37%. Event type is the reporter's classification of the report, not a verified outcome.
The device problems coded most often are electrical power problem (24%), mechanical problem (19.5%) and disconnection (14.7%). The patient problems coded most often are electric shock, syncope/fainting and dizziness. 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 158,083 reports carrying product code DSQ. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical power problem | 834 | 24% | 2.1% |
| Mechanical problema mechanical problem | 678 | 19.5% | 5.5% |
| Disconnection | 510 | 14.7% | 2% |
| Insufficient device problem information | 391 | 11.3% | 1.8% |
| Material deformation | 289 | 8.3% | 0.9% |
| Electrical /electronic property probleman electrical or electronic problem | 262 | 7.5% | 1.9% |
| Display or visual feedback problem | 251 | 7.2% | 0.7% |
| Communication or transmission problemthe device could not communicate or transmit | 223 | 6.4% | 0.8% |
| Complete loss of power | 213 | 6.1% | 1.7% |
| Improper or incorrect procedure or method | 166 | 4.8% | 0.5% |
| Device difficult to setup or prepare | 128 | 3.7% | 0.6% |
| Display difficult to read | 83 | 2.4% | 0.2% |
| No display/image | 66 | 1.9% | 0.2% |
| Overheating of device | 65 | 1.9% | 0.3% |
| No audible alarm | 55 | 1.6% | 0.4% |
| Failure to charge | 54 | 1.6% | 0.4% |
| Pumping stopped | 54 | 1.6% | 3.2% |
| Alarm not visible | 39 | 1.1% | 0.1% |
| Failure to interrogate | 39 | 1.1% | 0.1% |
| Infusion or flow problema problem with flow or infusion | 38 | 1.1% | 4.9% |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Electric shockan electric shock | 13 | 0.4% |
| Syncope/fainting | 10 | 0.3% |
| Dizzinesslight-headedness or unsteadiness | 9 | 0.3% |
| Loss of consciousnesspassing out | 6 | 0.2% |
| No patient involvement | 6 | 0.2% |
| Cardiac arrestthe heart stopped | 5 | 0.1% |
| Deaththe patient died; cause not stated by this term | 5 | 0.1% |
| Falla fall | 5 | 0.1% |
| Heart failure/congestive heart failure | 4 | 0.1% |
| Thrombus | 4 | 0.1% |
| Burn(s)a burn | 3 | 0.1% |
| Ventricular fibrillationa chaotic rhythm from the lower heart chambers | 3 | 0.1% |
| Anxietyanxiety | 2 | 0.1% |
| Appropriate clinical signs, symptoms and conditions term/code not available | 2 | 0.1% |
| Brain injury | 2 | 0.1% |
Patient problem codes are present mainly in reports filed since 2019 and are often blank.
In context
| Measure | HeartMate 3 System Controller | Product code DSQ | All MAUDE reports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reports | 3,473 | 158,083 | 26,136,888 |
| Share of that pool | — | 2.2% | 0% |
| Classified as death, per 1,000 reports | 3 | 146 | 9 |
| Classified as injury | 3.9% | 48.3% | 36.2% |
| Classified as malfunction | 95.8% | 37% | 62.3% |
| Filed by the manufacturer | 99.9% | 97% | 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 DSQ
| Brand | Reports | Latest 12 months | Classified as death |
|---|---|---|---|
| HeartWare Ventricular Assist System - Pump | 36,450 | 1,304 | 13.4% |
| Heartware Ventricular Assist System | 14,550 | 0 | 6.9% |
| HeartMate 3 LVAS Implant Kit | 13,500 | 626 | 38% |
| Thoratec HeartMate 3 LVAS Implant Kit | 8,130 | 3,008 | 29.7% |
| HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Assist System | 5,858 | 122 | 18.6% |
| HeartWare Ventricular Assist System - Controller 2.0 | 5,831 | 132 | 0.5% |
| HeartWare Ventricular Assist System - Battery | 5,010 | 47 | 0% |
| Thoratec HeartMate 3 System Controller | 3,591 | 1,387 | 0% |
| HeartWare Ventricular Assist System - Driveline | 3,003 | 159 | 1.5% |
| HeartWare Ventricular Assist System - Pump/Driveline | 2,160 | 147 | 16.6% |
| Heartmate Mobile Power Unit Na | 2,096 | 4 | 0.1% |
| Heartware Ventricular Assist System-Pump | 1,424 | 0 | 19.9% |
| Heartware Ventricular Assist System- Pump | 1,306 | 0 | 35.4% |
| Heartmate Mobile Power Unit N/A | 1,234 | 519 | 0% |
| HeartWare Ventricular Assist System - Waist Pack | 917 | 17 | 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 HeartMate 3 System Controller reports
How many FDA reports name HeartMate 3 System Controller?
3,473 medical device reports in the openFDA MAUDE release of 28 Sep 2026, covering reports received through August 2026; 247 in the latest 12 months.
What kinds of events are reported?
malfunction (95.8%), injury (3.9%) and death (0.3%). "Event type" is how the report was classified when filed: death, injury, malfunction or other.
What device problems are coded?
electrical power problem (24%), mechanical problem (19.5%), disconnection (14.7%), insufficient device problem information (11.3%) and material deformation (8.3%). These are FDA's device problem codes as entered on the report.
Who files these reports?
manufacturer reports (99.9%) and voluntary reports (0.1%). Manufacturers and user facilities are required to report; voluntary reports come from health professionals and the public.
Do these reports show that HeartMate 3 System Controller 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.