Reported Reactions

Devices › Ventricular (assist) bypass

Device brand name · Ventricular assist bypass

HeartWare Ventricular Assist System - Controller: medical device reports filed with FDA

851 reports name it, 2017–2026. Manufacturer given most often on reports: Heartware. Product code DSQ.

851
device reports naming the brand
0% of all MAUDE reports · about 90 a year
113
reports, 12 months to August 2026
30 in the 12 months before
84.4%
classified as malfunction
37% across the product code
0.7%
classified as death, as reported
6 reports · not verified by FDA

FDA's MAUDE database holds 851 reports that name the brand "HeartWare Ventricular Assist System - Controller" (ventricular assist bypass), received between January 2017 and August 2026; the manufacturer given most often on reports is Heartware. Spellings of one product vary from report to report.

113 reports arrived in the 12 months to August 2026, up 277% from 30 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 (84.4%), injury (14.9%) and death (0.7%); 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 power problem (46.9%), electrical /electronic property problem (17.4%) and battery problem (11.8%). The patient problems coded most often are appropriate clinical signs, symptoms and conditions term/code not available, anxiety and death. 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

01224Sep 2021: 1Oct 2021: 11Nov 2021: 3Dec 2021: 42022Jan 2022: 1Feb 2022: 17Mar 2022: 10Apr 2022: 1May 2022: 0Jun 2022: 12Jul 2022: 1Aug 2022: 0Sep 2022: 7Oct 2022: 3Nov 2022: 0Dec 2022: 02023Jan 2023: 1Feb 2023: 11Mar 2023: 1Apr 2023: 4May 2023: 0Jun 2023: 1Jul 2023: 13Aug 2023: 0Sep 2023: 3Oct 2023: 6Nov 2023: 2Dec 2023: 32024Jan 2024: 0Feb 2024: 15Mar 2024: 1Apr 2024: 8May 2024: 7Jun 2024: 1Jul 2024: 7Aug 2024: 2Sep 2024: 1Oct 2024: 0Nov 2024: 4Dec 2024: 12025Jan 2025: 1Feb 2025: 4Mar 2025: 0Apr 2025: 8May 2025: 0Jun 2025: 1Jul 2025: 10Aug 2025: 0Sep 2025: 1Oct 2025: 7Nov 2025: 0Dec 2025: 02026Jan 2026: 2Feb 2026: 15Mar 2026: 12Apr 2026: 24May 2026: 11Jun 2026: 12Jul 2026: 17Aug 2026: 12

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

01743472017: 6020172018: 3420182019: 34720192020: 8220202021: 4720212022: 5220222023: 4520232024: 4720242025: 3220252026: 1052026

Event type and report source

Event type, as classified on the report

Death0.7%6
Injury14.9%127
Malfunction84.4%718
Other0%0
Not given0%0

Who filed the report

Manufacturer report100%851
Voluntary report0%0
User facility report0%0
Distributor report0%0
Not given0%0

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)ReportsShareShare across product code
Power problem39946.9%4.5%
Electrical /electronic property probleman electrical or electronic problem14817.4%1.9%
Battery problema problem with the battery10011.8%6.5%
Material twisted/bent526.1%1%
Connection problema connection problem475.5%2.5%
Disconnection313.6%2%
Loose or intermittent connection252.9%0.9%
Insufficient device problem information192.2%1.8%
Pumping stopped172%3.2%
Pumping problem161.9%6.1%
Device alarm system111.3%0.4%
Device fell91.1%0%
Overheating of device80.9%0.3%
Material integrity problema problem with the device material70.8%1.9%
Incomplete or inadequate connection60.7%0%
Protective measures problem60.7%0.1%
Data problem50.6%0.2%
Device displays incorrect message50.6%0.6%
Breakthe device broke40.5%2.6%
No display/image40.5%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
Appropriate clinical signs, symptoms and conditions term/code not available101.2%
Anxietyanxiety50.6%
Deaththe patient died; cause not stated by this term40.5%
Respiratory failurethe lungs could not supply enough oxygen40.5%
Dizzinesslight-headedness or unsteadiness30.4%
Chest painchest pain20.2%
Encephalopathy20.2%
Falla fall20.2%
Loss of consciousnesspassing out20.2%
Syncope/fainting20.2%
Thrombosis/thrombus20.2%
Burn(s)a burn10.1%
Cardiac arrestthe heart stopped10.1%
Chest tightness/pressure10.1%
Confusion/ disorientation10.1%

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

In context

MeasureHeartWare Ventricular Assist System - ControllerProduct code DSQAll MAUDE reports
Reports851158,08326,136,888
Share of that pool—0.5%0%
Classified as death, per 1,000 reports71469
Classified as injury14.9%48.3%36.2%
Classified as malfunction84.4%37%62.3%
Filed by the manufacturer100%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

BrandReportsLatest 12 monthsClassified as death
HeartWare Ventricular Assist System - Pump36,4501,30413.4%
Heartware Ventricular Assist System14,55006.9%
HeartMate 3 LVAS Implant Kit13,50062638%
Thoratec HeartMate 3 LVAS Implant Kit8,1303,00829.7%
HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Assist System5,85812218.6%
HeartWare Ventricular Assist System - Controller 2.05,8311320.5%
HeartWare Ventricular Assist System - Battery5,010470%
Thoratec HeartMate 3 System Controller3,5911,3870%
HeartMate 3 System Controller3,4732470.3%
HeartWare Ventricular Assist System - Driveline3,0031591.5%
HeartWare Ventricular Assist System - Pump/Driveline2,16014716.6%
Heartmate Mobile Power Unit Na2,09640.1%
Heartware Ventricular Assist System-Pump1,424019.9%
Heartware Ventricular Assist System- Pump1,306035.4%
Heartmate Mobile Power Unit N/A1,2345190%

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 HeartWare Ventricular Assist System - Controller reports

How many FDA reports name HeartWare Ventricular Assist System - Controller?

851 medical device reports in the openFDA MAUDE release of 28 Sep 2026, covering reports received through August 2026; 113 in the latest 12 months.

What kinds of events are reported?

malfunction (84.4%), injury (14.9%) and death (0.7%). "Event type" is how the report was classified when filed: death, injury, malfunction or other.

What device problems are coded?

power problem (46.9%), electrical /electronic property problem (17.4%), battery problem (11.8%), material twisted/bent (6.1%) and connection problem (5.5%). 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 HeartWare Ventricular Assist 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.