Medtronic plc has voluntarily issued a global recall of unused Medtronic Valiant Navion thoracic stent graft system and informed physicians to immediately cease use of the device until further notice.
 
Medtronic initiated this action in response to information recently obtained from the Valiant Evo Global Clinical Trial indicating that three patients in the Valiant Evo Global Clinical Trial were observed to have stent fractures, two of which have confirmed type IIIb endoleaks. One patient death has been reported.
 
Following these observations, an independent imaging laboratory reviewed all available images from patients enrolled in the Valiant Evo Global Clinical Trial. Upon further analysis of the images, seven out of 87 patients were observed to have stent ring enlargement beyond the design specification. Those observations require further assessment to determine potential clinical importance.
 
Medtronic is currently conducting a comprehensive technical root cause investigation, including further review of follow-up clinical trial imaging and commercial complaints and imaging.
 
"There is nothing more important than the safety and well-being of patients," said Nina Goodheart, senior vice president and president, Structural Heart & Aortic, which is reported as part of the Cardiac Vascular Group at Medtronic. "We treat matters of product safety with the highest priority and urgency. Our decision to implement this voluntary recall is necessary to ensure the utmost patient safety. As our investigation continues, we are committed to timely communication with physicians and regulatory bodies.”
 
Medtronic has contacted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with other regulatory bodies around the world, to share information related to this issue. Medtronic will continue working directly with regulatory authorities on this global voluntary recall.
 
Patient Management Recommendations
Patients with a Medtronic Valiant Navion thoracic stent graft system should consult their physician with any questions.
 
As part of the voluntary recall of unused product, physicians were sent written communication from Medtronic directing them to immediately cease use of the Medtronic Valiant Navion thoracic stent graft system and instructions for returning unused product to Medtronic.
 
Medtronic advises physicians to retrospectively review all available images of patients treated with Valiant Navion thoracic stent graft system with specific attention to stent fractures and type IIIb endoleaks and contact Medtronic if any imaging findings are observed.
 
Medtronic urges physicians to follow best clinical practices and evaluate patients with at least annual follow-up according to the imaging recommendations in the Medtronic Valiant Navion thoracic stent graft system Instructions for Use (IFU).
 
Physicians are also asked to notify Medtronic of any adverse events or product safety issues associated with use of any Medtronic product, which also should be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program. Outside of the U.S. adverse events or product safety issues associated with use of any Medtronic product should be reported to the appropriate competent authority.