Guidant Corporation: Guidant CONTAK RENEWAL 3 AVT (models M150, M155), CONTAK RENEWAL 3 AVT HE (models M157, M159), CONTAK RENEWAL 4 AVT (models M170, M175), CONTAK RENEWAL 4 AVT HE (models M177, M179). Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Defibrillator. Sterilized using gaseous ethylene oxide. Guidant Corporation Cardiac Rhythm Management, 4100 Hamline Avenue North, St. Paul, MN 55112-5798, USA. CONTAK RENEWAK AVT models provide both atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmia and cardiac resynchronization therapies.

Recall number

Z-1194-06

Recalling firm

Guidant Corporation

Product

Guidant CONTAK RENEWAL 3 AVT (models M150, M155), CONTAK RENEWAL 3 AVT HE (models M157, M159), CONTAK RENEWAL 4 AVT (models M170, M175), CONTAK RENEWAL 4 AVT HE (models M177, M179). Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Defibrillator. Sterilized using gaseous ethylene oxide. Guidant Corporation Cardiac Rhythm Management, 4100 Hamline Avenue North, St. Paul, MN 55112-5798, USA. CONTAK RENEWAK AVT models provide both atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmia and cardiac resynchronization therapies.

Status

Terminated

Initiated

2006-05-15

Posted

2006-07-04

Terminated

2007-01-06

Reason

Guidant has received 2 reports of device malfunction associated with subpectoral implantation in an uncommon orientation (serial number facing ribs). Repetitive mechanical stress in this orientation can result in Loss of shock therapy, Loss of pacing therapy (intermittent or permanent), Loss of telemetry, Programmer warning screen upon interrogation, and beeping.

Root cause

Other

Action

The recall was initiated on May 15, 2006, with a press release and a letter to physicians. Physicians are asked to review the specific positioning of each device for patients implanted with affected models. This is a review of medical records to determine if the device is subpectoral. Then use of an AP radiograph on patients with a subpectoral implant to determine device orientation and if leads exit in a clockwise direction. In those cases, it''s recommended physicians advise the patient of the potential for failure, and follow-up at least once per quarter per device labeling and consider device replacement for larger muscle/active patients or for patients who regularly utilize therapy. Physicians are instructed to orient device with the serial number facing away from the ribs for future implants.

Quantity

54,971 devices have been distributed however this only affects those that have been implanted subpectorally with the serial number facing the ribs.

Distribution

Nationwide, US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and worldwide to include: Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guadeloupe, Guam, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway, Peru, Polynesia, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Venezuela, West Indies.

Lot, serial or model codes

Devices that are implanted subpectorally with the serial number facing the ribs. Implant orientation is not reported to Guidant.

510(k) numbers

not on file

PMA numbers

["P010012S008"]

Product code

LWP

Firm FEI

2124215

Firm city

Saint Paul

Firm state

MN

Firm country

not on file

Cite as

FDA Medical Device Recalls (openFDA) (U.S. Food and Drug Administration (openFDA)), device-recall-0001-of-0001.json.zip, sha256 b87518bfe2e8, published 2026-09-28

Copy