Reported Reactions

Devices › Ventricular (assist) bypass

Device brand name · Ventricular assisst bypass

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

3,003 reports name it, 2017–2026. Manufacturer given most often on reports: Heartware. Product code DSQ.

3,003
device reports naming the brand
0% of all MAUDE reports · about 322 a year
159
reports, 12 months to August 2026
159 in the 12 months before
41%
classified as malfunction
37% across the product code
1.5%
classified as death, as reported
46 reports · not verified by FDA

FDA's MAUDE database holds 3,003 reports that name the brand "HeartWare Ventricular Assist System - Driveline" (ventricular assisst bypass), received between March 2017 and August 2026; the manufacturer given most often on reports is Heartware. Spellings of one product vary from report to report.

159 reports arrived in the 12 months to August 2026, close to the 159 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 injury (57.5%), malfunction (41%) and death (1.5%); 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 material integrity problem (39.4%), electrical /electronic property problem (2.6%) and material split, cut or torn (1.8%). The patient problems coded most often are bacterial infection, sepsis and appropriate clinical signs, symptoms and conditions term/code not available. 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

04488Sep 2021: 19Oct 2021: 88Nov 2021: 20Dec 2021: 122022Jan 2022: 12Feb 2022: 74Mar 2022: 61Apr 2022: 25May 2022: 24Jun 2022: 29Jul 2022: 23Aug 2022: 19Sep 2022: 41Oct 2022: 12Nov 2022: 26Dec 2022: 172023Jan 2023: 20Feb 2023: 22Mar 2023: 21Apr 2023: 75May 2023: 24Jun 2023: 28Jul 2023: 12Aug 2023: 20Sep 2023: 17Oct 2023: 13Nov 2023: 9Dec 2023: 62024Jan 2024: 8Feb 2024: 27Mar 2024: 10Apr 2024: 23May 2024: 12Jun 2024: 15Jul 2024: 21Aug 2024: 13Sep 2024: 13Oct 2024: 17Nov 2024: 11Dec 2024: 172025Jan 2025: 7Feb 2025: 23Mar 2025: 9Apr 2025: 7May 2025: 9Jun 2025: 11Jul 2025: 25Aug 2025: 10Sep 2025: 13Oct 2025: 17Nov 2025: 12Dec 2025: 182026Jan 2026: 14Feb 2026: 17Mar 2026: 4Apr 2026: 11May 2026: 15Jun 2026: 16Jul 2026: 12Aug 2026: 10

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

03206402017: 3520172018: 8320182019: 60220192020: 64020202021: 56620212022: 36320222023: 26720232024: 18720242025: 16120252026: 992026

Event type and report source

Event type, as classified on the report

Death1.5%46
Injury57.5%1,727
Malfunction41%1,230
Other0%0
Not given0%0

Who filed the report

Manufacturer report100%3,002
Voluntary report0%0
User facility report0%0
Distributor report0%0
Not given0%1

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
Material integrity problema problem with the device material1,18439.4%1.9%
Electrical /electronic property probleman electrical or electronic problem782.6%1.9%
Material split, cut or torn531.8%0.7%
Connection problema connection problem511.7%2.5%
Material deformation441.5%0.9%
Disconnection391.3%2%
Pumping problem341.1%6.1%
Pumping stopped321.1%3.2%
Crackthe device cracked301%0.1%
Contamination260.9%0.2%
Material discolored170.6%0.1%
Difficult to removethe device was hard to remove160.5%0.1%
Material twisted/bent110.4%1%
Material too rigid or stiff100.3%0%
Device fell90.3%0%
Breakthe device broke80.3%2.6%
Complete loss of power70.2%1.7%
Battery problema problem with the battery60.2%6.5%
Leak/splashthe device leaked60.2%0.2%
Contamination /decontamination problem50.2%0.1%

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
Bacterial infectiona bacterial infection1,20040%
Sepsisa severe body-wide response to infection1665.5%
Appropriate clinical signs, symptoms and conditions term/code not available341.1%
Fever260.9%
Painpain, site not specified260.9%
Purulent discharge220.7%
Abscessa collection of pus200.7%
Deaththe patient died; cause not stated by this term200.7%
Fluid discharge200.7%
Hemorrhage/blood loss/bleeding200.7%
Wound dehiscencea wound reopened160.5%
Fungal infectiona fungal infection130.4%
Pneumonialung infection110.4%
Erythemaskin redness80.3%
Respiratory failurethe lungs could not supply enough oxygen80.3%

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

In context

MeasureHeartWare Ventricular Assist System - DrivelineProduct code DSQAll MAUDE reports
Reports3,003158,08326,136,888
Share of that pool—1.9%0%
Classified as death, per 1,000 reports151469
Classified as injury57.5%48.3%36.2%
Classified as malfunction41%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 - 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%
HeartWare Ventricular Assist System - Waist Pack917170%

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 - Driveline reports

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

3,003 medical device reports in the openFDA MAUDE release of 28 Sep 2026, covering reports received through August 2026; 159 in the latest 12 months.

What kinds of events are reported?

injury (57.5%), malfunction (41%) and death (1.5%). "Event type" is how the report was classified when filed: death, injury, malfunction or other.

What device problems are coded?

material integrity problem (39.4%), electrical /electronic property problem (2.6%), material split, cut or torn (1.8%), connection problem (1.7%) and material deformation (1.5%). 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 - Driveline 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.