MAUDE Adverse Event Report: W. L. GORE & ASSOCIATES, INC. GORE-TEX® STRETCH VASCULAR GRAFT; PROSTHESIS, VASCULAR GRAFT

Model Number SA1603

Device Problem Microbial Contamination of Device (2303)

Patient Problem Bacterial Infection (1735)

Event Date 03/06/2023

Event Type  Injury  

Manufacturer Narrative

H3-other: the physician has sent the explanted device to an independent 3rd party for evaluation.Investigation (macroscopic and microscopic analysis of the explanted vascular graft after cleaning) was performed by the third party.The explant was not returned to gore for evaluation.Instead, they provided analysis results to gore, which are being reviewed by gore explant scientists.H6-b14 and c19: a review of the manufacturing records indicated the lots met all pre-release specifications.W.L.Gore & associates, inc.(gore) is submitting this report to comply with 21 c.F.R.Part 803, the medical device reporting regulation.This report is based upon information obtained by gore, which the company may not have been able to fully investigate or verify prior to the date the report was required by the fda.Blank fields present on this report include required fields and fields determined to be not applicable.Blank required fields indicate that the information was not provided, was deemed unavailable or was not applicable.This report does not constitute an admission or a conclusion by fda, gore, or its associates that the device, gore or its associates caused or contributed to the event described in the report.In particular, this report does not constitute a legal admission by anyone that the product described in this report has any defects or has malfunctioned, as defined from a legal standpoint.These words are included in the report and are fixed items for selection created by the fda, to categorize the type of event solely for the purpose of reporting pursuant to part 803.This statement should be included with any information or report disclosed to the public under the freedom of information act.

Event Description

It was reported to gore that the patient underwent a minimally invasive procedure with robotic surgery in which a gore-tex® stretch vascular graft was used.Reportedly, the prosthesis was implanted on august 8, 2013, as a prosthetic aorto bi-iliac graft, in order to treat an abdominal aortic aneurysm.On (b)(6) 2023, after about 9 years and 6 months, the prosthesis was explanted due to an infection (escherichia coli).

Manufacturer Narrative

H6-b15 and c19: given the longevity of the device in situ with no presence of infection and the known integrity of eptfe in long-term implants, it is unlikely that the device itself was associated with the cause of the infection ((b)(6), 2018).As a result, additional analysis of the specimen would only confirm the presence of infection with no additional information provided for the role of the device.It is known that eptfe, once colonized by bacteria, is a clinical complication that often results in device explantation.Aneurysmal sacs are also prone to bacterial infection (mycotic aneurysm) following bacteremia.The occurrence of either/both eptfe graft infection and mycotic aneurysm, are likely to require treatment consisting of antibiotic therapy combined with either surgical debridement and/or vascular reconstruction.((b)(6), 2018: (b)(6), 2010).

Manufacturer Narrative

Cause investigation and conclusion: a review of the manufacturing records indicated the lots met all pre-release specifications.The physician has sent the explanted device to an independent 3rd party for evaluation.Investigation (macroscopic and microscopic analysis of the explanted vascular graft after cleaning) was performed by the third party.The explanted device was not returned to gore for evaluation.Instead, they provided analysis results to gore, which was reviewed by gore explant scientists.The explant evaluation summary states the following: given the longevity of the device in situ with no presence of infection and the known integrity of eptfe in long-term implants, it is unlikely that the device itself was associated with the cause of the infection ((b)(4), 2018).As a result, additional analysis of the specimen would only confirm the presence of infection with no additional information provided for the role of the device.It is known that eptfe, once colonized by bacteria, is a clinical complication that often results in device explantation.Aneurysmal sacs are also prone to bacterial infection (mycotic aneurysm) following bacteremia.The occurrence of either/both eptfe graft infection and mycotic aneurysm, are likely to require treatment consisting of antibiotic therapy combined with either surgical debridement and/or vascular reconstruction.((b)(4), 2018: (b)(4), 2010) based on this information additional analysis of the explanted device is not required.Based on the event description and the subsequent investigation, no further information was provided to gore, therefore we are unable to determine the cause of this incident and assign a root cause.In the instructions for use the following is stated: possible complications with the use of any vascular prosthesis complications which may occur in conjunction with the use of any vascular prosthesis include but are not limited to: infection.

• Brand Name: GORE-TEX® STRETCH VASCULAR GRAFT
• Type of Device: PROSTHESIS, VASCULAR GRAFT
• Manufacturer (Section D): W. L. GORE & ASSOCIATES, INC.; 1505 n. fourth street; flagstaff AZ 86004
• Manufacturer (Section G): MEDICAL WEST B/P; 1505 n. fourth street; flagstaff AZ 86004
• Manufacturer Contact: sibylle staerk ; 1505 n. fourth street; flagstaff, AZ 86004 ; 9285263030
• MDR Report Key: 16983958
• MDR Text Key: 315850788
• Report Number: 2017233-2023-03953
• Device Sequence Number: 1
• Product Code: DSY
• UDI-Device Identifier: 00733132611614
• UDI-Public: 00733132611614
• Combination Product (y/n): N
• Reporter Country Code: FR
• PMA/PMN Number: K903931
• Number of Events Reported: 1
• Summary Report (Y/N): N
• Report Source: Manufacturer
• Source Type: Other,Health Professional
• Reporter Occupation: Physician
• Type of Report: Initial,Followup,Followup
• Report Date: 08/20/2023

1 Device was Involved in the Event

1 Patient was Involved in the Event

• Date FDA Received: 05/23/2023
• Is this an Adverse Event Report?: Yes
• Is this a Product Problem Report?: Yes
• Device Operator: Health Professional
• Device Expiration Date: 05/17/2017
• Device Model Number: SA1603
• Device Catalogue Number: SA1603
• Was Device Available for Evaluation?: Yes
• Is the Reporter a Health Professional?: Yes
• Date Manufacturer Received: 08/17/2023
• Was Device Evaluated by Manufacturer?: Device Not Returned to Manufacturer
• Date Device Manufactured: 05/18/2012
• Is the Device Single Use?: Yes
• Is This a Reprocessed and Reused Single-Use Device?: No
• Type of Device Usage: Initial
• Patient Sequence Number: 1
• Patient Outcome(s): Hospitalization; Required Intervention
• Patient Age: 82 YR
• Patient Sex: Male