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Vascular Solutions, Inc.
Vascular Solutions, Inc. has issued a US-wide recall of Guardian II hemostasis valves used in catheterization procedures.
Specific lots of the products have been recalled because they pose an increased risk of air leakage that may lead to an air embolism, which could result in serious injury or death.
This recall only affects the Guardian II hemostasis valves and does not include the Guardian II NC hemostasis valves.
No injuries have been reported in association with this issue to date.
Healthcare facilities that have the affected Guardian II hemostasis valves should remove the products from their inventory and return them to Vascular Solutions.
The recalled products were manufactured from March 2015 to February 2016 and distributed from April 2015 to February 2016.
The recalled products are specific lots of Model Numbers 8210 and 8211. A listing of the recalled lots is available from Vascular Solutions and has been provided to each facility that purchased the affected products.
A total of 26,550 devices have been manufactured, with 5283 distributed in the US. The condition that led to the recall may affect approximately 2.4% of recalled devices.
Vascular Solutions voluntarily initiated the recall on March 3, 2016, through an Urgent Medical Device Recall notification distributed to purchasers of the affected products. The notification identified the specific lots subject to the recall and included instructions on how to return the affected products.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified this as a Class I recall. The FDA defines Class I recalls as “a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”
Consumers with questions may contact the company by phone at 1-888-240-6001, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Central Time or by email at customerservice@vasc.com.
Adverse reactions or quality problems associated with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program.
