MAUDE Adverse Event Report: VITAL ACCESS CORP. VWING VASCULAR NEEDLE GUIDE

Model Number 00144

Device Problem Improper Flow or Infusion (2954)

Patient Problems Swelling (2091); Skin Inflammation (2443); Post Operative Wound Infection (2446)

Event Date 11/16/2016

Event Type  Injury  

Manufacturer Narrative

Upon (b)(6)'s return from the hospital, (b)(6) decided to stop receiving dialysis treatment and entered hospice.Many attempts were made to determine if the vwing played a role in the patient's health situation.The patient had a fistulagram (as reported by (b)(6)), an infection (as reported by (b)(6)) and ultimately went into hospice and discontinued dialysis.A review of the patient's history was performed and analyzed, along with further investigation involving the implanting surgeon, dr.(b)(6), to determine if the vwing played a role.Patient (b)(6) had 2 vwings placed in (b)(6) 2016 due to the following: "patient has a tortuous and paper thin vein.Has a large aneurysm above her elbow that will be repaired.The vein is 10mm in diameter above the arterial vwing and is 8mm diameter above the venous.She has a mild stenotic area in-between the arterial and venous device that will not interfere.Both devices are well aligned to the fistula but at angles due to tortuosity of the fistula." approximately 6 weeks later, the patient initiated cannulation of both vwings with no issues.Cannulations over the first few weeks were reported as mostly good with some issues.A vital access representative visited quite often to assist.With the direction of the representative, cannulations were considered easy and pain free.It does appear that the staff was slow in learning how to use the device, requiring a number of revisits to the clinic, but ultimately each visit was successful and by (b)(6), cannulations were going well.A note from the representative reports "(b)(6) stated that vwing cannulations are going better and pt is waiting for cardiac clearance to have aneurysm repaired." during the difficult time, there were multiple occurrences where the staff returned to using the aneurysmal sections of the fistula.There is a note that an md was considering putting in a catheter until the aneurysms were repaired.Since cannulations began going very smoothly, the vwings were used and a catheter was not needed.In mid november, 11/14 (after 3 months of steady easy access with the vwing), the representative visited the clinic because of a reported flow issue (note that at the time of implant there was a stenosis between the vwing devices).Patient returned on (b)(6) with a mental status change and a swollen and red arm after getting a fistulagram.They cannulated anyways and ran dialysis.The patients condition worsened and she was taken to the hospital.Later the patient transferred to hospice.Dr.(b)(6) later did not recall performing any fistulagram, but said he could have done a number of things to address the access.The patient could have had a catheter placed and continued on dialysis (this was an option before the vwings were reliable).The patient could have been cannulated outside the vwing devices as was being done previously and intermittently through out the summer.Dr.(b)(6) stated that after the patient chose to transfer to hospice, there is not much anyone can do.That is a patient choice and not a result of a patient not having dialysis access.Neither the dialysis clinic nor the patient's nephrologist were willing to participate in the investigation.Without the release of medical records, the source of infection after the fistulagram cannot be determined.The description by the clinic and the fact that they continued to cannulate the patient would provide evidence that the vwing sites themselves must not have appeared to look infected.Addressing a stenosis can lead to vessel rupture and hematoma formation, along with potential infection.Medical director review: what seems clear is that the patient developed an infection.I gather there was no evidence that the vwing(s) was/were infected prior to this.Temporally, the infection evolved after the fistulagram, but the period of time between the fistula gram was very short for an infection to have manifested.But not impossible.The available information does not suggest to me that the vwing(s) was/were responsible.Obviously, discussion with the nephrologist and review of the complete medical record would have been enlightening, but have not been available.Infected device - not provided.

Event Description

(b)(6) experienced a flow issue at or near a vwing device in mid-(b)(6) 2016.Fistulagram showed stenosis.Site was angioplastied, after which the arm became swollen and hot.(b)(6)'s mental status changed, and (b)(6) was sent to the hospital.(b)(6) was diagnosed with a systemic infection.

• Brand Name: VWING VASCULAR NEEDLE GUIDE
• Type of Device: VWING
• Manufacturer (Section D): VITAL ACCESS CORP.; 448 e winchester st; suite 250; salt lake city UT 84107
• Manufacturer (Section G): VITAL ACCESS CORP.; 448 e winchester st; suite 250; salt lake city UT 84107
• Manufacturer Contact: mark crawford ; 448 e winchester st; suite 250; salt lake city, UT 84107 ; 8014339390
• MDR Report Key: 6252149
• MDR Text Key: 64906450
• Report Number: 3009273792-2017-00001
• Device Sequence Number: 1
• Product Code: PFH
• UDI-Device Identifier: 08199260101441
• UDI-Public: 08199260101441
• Combination Product (y/n): N
• Reporter Country Code: US
• PMA/PMN Number: K130873
• Number of Events Reported: 1
• Summary Report (Y/N): N
• Report Source: Manufacturer
• Source Type: health professional
• Reporter Occupation: Nurse
• Type of Report: Initial
• Report Date: 01/13/2017

1 Device was Involved in the Event

1 Patient was Involved in the Event

• Date FDA Received: 01/14/2017
• Is this an Adverse Event Report?: Yes
• Is this a Product Problem Report?: No
• Device Operator: Physician
• Device Model Number: 00144
• Device Lot Number: 15-0033
• Was Device Available for Evaluation?: No
• Is the Reporter a Health Professional?: Yes
• Date Manufacturer Received: 11/30/2016
• Was Device Evaluated by Manufacturer?: Device Not Returned to Manufacturer
• 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
• Treatment: AV FISTULA NEEDLES
• Patient Outcome(s): Hospitalization; Required Intervention