The FDA has identified this as a Class I recall, the most serious type of recall. Use of these devices may cause serious injuries or death.
Recalled Product
- Product Name: Intera 3000 Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump
- Models: See Recall Database entry
- Devices Recalled in the U.S.: 440
- Dates distributed: August 12, 2021 to May 17, 2022
- Date Initiated by Firm: July 10, 2022
Device Use
The Intera 3000 Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump is used to continuously deliver medicine through an artery that supplies blood and oxygen to the liver and several other organs (hepatic artery). The pump is implanted into adult patients and delivers chemotherapy medications to treat liver tumors. People with the Intera 3000 Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump are able to get back to daily activities and return to the hospital for pump refills every two weeks.
Reason for Recall
Intera Oncology is recalling the Intera 3000 Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump after receiving reports from clinicians that the pumps were delivering medications (flow rate) faster than expected.
If the pump delivers infusions at faster than expected flow rates, the patient may receive too much medication at one time, resulting in life-threatening hematologic (myelosuppression) toxicity, neurotoxicity, or death. Additionally, if the flow rate is too fast, the patient may run out of medication before a pump refill occurs, which may allow their disease to progress or lead to death.
There have been three incidents reported related to this issue, with no injuries or deaths.
Who May Be Affected
- Healthcare personnel who implant the Intera 3000 Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump or who manage the care of patients with an Intera 3000 Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump.
- People who receive infused medications using the Intera 3000 Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump.
What to Do
On July 10, 2022, Intera Oncology sent a letter, emailed, or called customers and requested the following actions:
- Continue to monitor flow rate per standard refill procedure.
- Continue to monitor for liver toxicity to adjust dosing as per standard protocols.
- Consider pump replacement if altered flow rate of the pump can’t be adequately managed by dosing adjustments of the infusate when hepatic artery infusion therapy needs to continue.
- Consider bringing patient in for medication refill and to verify the flow rate sooner than every two weeks if the pump appears to be flowing more than 15% outside of labeled specification.
- Flush the bolus pathway with low dose heparinized saline (100 IU/ml) using the special bolus needle (per the Instructions for Use) if the pump is empty at the time of refill.
- The hepatic artery infusion therapy care team should decide whether or not to inform the patient about the possibility of alterations in flow.
- Notify any new clinicians about the possibility of altered flow in the future if a patient’s care is transferred to a new treating facility.
Contact Information
Customers with questions or concerns about this recall should contact Intera Oncology at (800) 660-2660 or support@interaoncology.com with questions.
Additional Resources:
How do I report a problem?
Healthcare professionals and consumers may report adverse reactions or quality problems they experienced using these devices to MedWatch: The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program using an online form, regular mail, or FAX.
