If this happens, potential harm to patients may include infections, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, overdrainage of CSF, and abnormality of the ventricles. Uncontrolled overdrainage of CSF could lead to neurological injury or death if the disconnection is undetected.
The Food and Drug Administration has identified this as a Class I recall — the most serious type — due to the risk for serious injury or death. To date, there have been 26 reported injuries and no deaths related to this issue.
The recall includes 45,176 devices distributed in the United States between May 3, 2021, and January 9, 2024, with model numbers 46913, 46914, 46915, 46916, and 46917.
The Duet EDMS is used for temporary CSF drainage or sampling in patients who have surgery for open descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) or descending thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) or patients who have TAA/TAAA repair surgery and develop symptoms such as paraplegia.
Medtronic has sent an urgent medical device recall letter to all affected customers asking them to identify, quarantine, and return any unused recalled products.
Customers are also advised to check all Duet EDMS components for damage and ensure that all connections are secure and leak-free.
If a patient is currently connected to an impacted Duet EDMS and a leak or disconnection is detected, the device should be changed to a new alternative device utilizing a sterile technique.
It is not recommended that a Duet system device that is connected to a patient and working as intended be removed or replaced.
Customers in the United States with questions about this recall should contact Medtronic at 1-800-874-5797.
A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.