Reported Reactions

Devices › Automated external defibrillators (non-wearable)

Device brand name · Als defibrillator monitor

HeartStart XL+ Defibrillator/Monitor: medical device reports filed with FDA

13,188 reports name it, 2012–2026. Manufacturer given most often on reports: Philips Medical Systems. Product code MKJ.

13,188
device reports naming the brand
0.1% of all MAUDE reports · about 942 a year
210
reports, 12 months to August 2026
338 in the 12 months before
98.4%
classified as malfunction
96.8% across the product code
0.4%
classified as death, as reported
50 reports · not verified by FDA

FDA's MAUDE database holds 13,188 reports that name the brand "HeartStart XL+ Defibrillator/Monitor" (als defibrillator monitor), received between July 2012 and August 2026; the manufacturer given most often on reports is Philips Medical Systems. Spellings of one product vary from report to report.

210 reports arrived in the 12 months to August 2026, down 38% from 338 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 (98.4%), injury (1.2%) and death (0.4%); across all automated external defibrillators (non-wearable) reports (product code MKJ) death is recorded in 1.7% and malfunction in 96.8%. Event type is the reporter's classification of the report, not a verified outcome.

The device problems coded most often are failure of device to self-test (13.1%), device operates differently than expected (10.3%) and device displays incorrect message (9.4%). The patient problems coded most often are no patient involvement, death and injury. 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

04896Sep 2021: 65Oct 2021: 64Nov 2021: 39Dec 2021: 912022Jan 2022: 49Feb 2022: 58Mar 2022: 68Apr 2022: 79May 2022: 70Jun 2022: 96Jul 2022: 62Aug 2022: 53Sep 2022: 55Oct 2022: 51Nov 2022: 70Dec 2022: 832023Jan 2023: 65Feb 2023: 74Mar 2023: 59Apr 2023: 57May 2023: 42Jun 2023: 45Jul 2023: 42Aug 2023: 49Sep 2023: 40Oct 2023: 37Nov 2023: 35Dec 2023: 512024Jan 2024: 47Feb 2024: 51Mar 2024: 35Apr 2024: 42May 2024: 31Jun 2024: 32Jul 2024: 54Aug 2024: 49Sep 2024: 35Oct 2024: 44Nov 2024: 33Dec 2024: 312025Jan 2025: 27Feb 2025: 20Mar 2025: 31Apr 2025: 24May 2025: 20Jun 2025: 16Jul 2025: 29Aug 2025: 28Sep 2025: 27Oct 2025: 18Nov 2025: 30Dec 2025: 182026Jan 2026: 21Feb 2026: 24Mar 2026: 12Apr 2026: 18May 2026: 15Jun 2026: 13Jul 2026: 9Aug 2026: 5

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

01,1352,2702012: 820122013: 1532014: 26220142015: 5002016: 1,20720162017: 1,4582018: 1,88620182019: 2,2702020: 2,12620202021: 1,0392022: 79420222023: 5962024: 48420242025: 2882026: 1172026

Event type and report source

Event type, as classified on the report

Death0.4%50
Injury1.2%163
Malfunction98.4%12,975
Other0%0
Not given0%0

Who filed the report

Manufacturer report100%13,188
Voluntary report0%0
User facility report0%0
Distributor report0%0
Not given0%0

Grey bar: all 269,686 reports carrying product code MKJ. Event type is the filer's classification and is not verified by FDA.

Device problems coded

Device problem (FDA code)ReportsShareShare across product code
Failure of device to self-test1,72413.1%8.9%
Device operates differently than expectedthe device behaved unexpectedly1,36410.3%11.8%
Device displays incorrect message1,2379.4%11.6%
Failure to power up1,0067.6%13%
Battery problema problem with the battery7075.4%2.5%
Therapeutic or diagnostic output failure6304.8%0.8%
Computer operating system problem6174.7%0.8%
Incorrect, inadequate or imprecise result or readings5724.3%1.3%
Defibrillation/stimulation problem4603.5%3.2%
Defective devicethe device was defective3923%1.2%
Electrical /electronic property probleman electrical or electronic problem3602.7%1.9%
Failure to deliver shock/stimulation3522.7%1.8%
No display/image3522.7%4.2%
Failure to charge2922.2%2.5%
Breakthe device broke2882.2%1.4%
Defective component2311.8%0.6%
Power problem2121.6%1%
Device inoperablethe device could not be used1841.4%1.9%
Display or visual feedback problem1781.3%0.5%
Protective measures problem1611.2%0.2%

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 involvement5,64542.8%
Deaththe patient died; cause not stated by this term450.3%
Injurya physical injury290.2%
Cardiac arrestthe heart stopped180.1%
Tachycardiafast heart rate130.1%
Ventricular fibrillationa chaotic rhythm from the lower heart chambers120.1%
Appropriate clinical signs, symptoms and conditions term/code not available100.1%
Burn(s)a burn70.1%
Arrhythmia50%
Atrial fibrillationan irregular heart rhythm40%
Shock from patient lead(s)40%
Bradycardiaslow heart rate30%
Shockshock, a collapse of the circulation30%
Myocardial infarctionheart attack20%
Therapeutic effects, unexpected20%

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

In context

MeasureHeartStart XL+ Defibrillator/MonitorProduct code MKJAll MAUDE reports
Reports13,188269,68626,136,888
Share of that pool—4.9%0.1%
Classified as death, per 1,000 reports4179
Classified as injury1.2%0.7%36.2%
Classified as malfunction98.4%96.8%62.3%
Filed by the manufacturer100%99.3%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 MKJ

BrandReportsLatest 12 monthsClassified as death
M Series27,11242.3%
Heartstart Mrx18,59200.7%
HeartStart MRx -EMS Defibrillator16,166330.8%
Heart Start XL15,944950.9%
R Series Defibrillator15,39300.9%
X Series13,9831,6922.7%
Heartstart Onsite10,96400.8%
Aed Plus9,2254232.2%
Heartsine Samaritan 300p And Pad Pak8,19700.3%
E Series Defibrillator8,05201.5%
Lifepak R 15 Monitor/Defibrillator6,1174631.4%
Heartstart Frx5,97821.3%
Efficia Dfm1005,07600.6%
LIFEPAK 15 defibrillator/monitor4,7163691%
Lifeline4,8772,1170.4%

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 HeartStart XL+ Defibrillator/Monitor reports

How many FDA reports name HeartStart XL+ Defibrillator/Monitor?

13,188 medical device reports in the openFDA MAUDE release of 28 Sep 2026, covering reports received through August 2026; 210 in the latest 12 months.

What kinds of events are reported?

malfunction (98.4%), injury (1.2%) and death (0.4%). "Event type" is how the report was classified when filed: death, injury, malfunction or other.

What device problems are coded?

failure of device to self-test (13.1%), device operates differently than expected (10.3%), device displays incorrect message (9.4%), failure to power up (7.6%) and battery problem (5.4%). 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 HeartStart XL+ Defibrillator/Monitor 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.