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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Class I recall, its most urgent classification, affecting heart surgery procedure kits distributed by Medline Industries. These surgical kits, used in critical open-heart procedures, contain aortic root cannulas manufactured by Medtronic. These cannulas are now known to carry a dangerous defect—excess material inside the male luer, which can obstruct fluid flow and lead to devastating surgical outcomes.
Although the FDA reports no deaths or injuries to date, the risks identified by this recall are among the most serious in any surgical setting. The defective cannulas have been linked to:
For patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and other open-heart surgeries, any defect in the surgical equipment used during cardiopulmonary bypass is a threat to life and recovery. If you or your loved one experienced complications during heart surgery involving a Medline procedure kit, you may be eligible to file an injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
At the center of this recall is a vital device: the aortic root cannula. This tool is inserted during open-heart procedures to help manage blood flow while a patient is connected to a heart-lung machine. It may also be used to evacuate air from the aorta after bypass procedures. The cannula is only used for several hours but is crucial during this window.
Medtronic’s recall, initially announced in early February 2025, identified excess manufacturing material in the male luer of several cannula models. This defect can impair blood flow or prevent proper function, putting patients at extreme risk when seconds count.
Medtronic’s recalled products include:
Although Medtronic’s standalone recall included more than 316,000 devices globally, the risk became even more widespread once Medline identified that its pre-assembled surgical kits also contained the defective cannulas. These kits are commonly used by hospitals for efficiency and consistency during cardiac procedures.
Medline’s recall, issued on February 21, 2025, expands the risk to additional patients and medical facilities. According to the FDA, at least 3,345 Medline kits are affected. The risk is compounded because these kits were distributed directly to hospitals and used in routine open-heart procedures.
Affected Medline heart surgery kits include:
In some cases, surgical teams may not have been aware that a defective cannula was included in their kits until after the procedure began. The inclusion of a warning sticker does not negate the fact that these dangerous components were widely distributed, often without the knowledge of patients or their families.
Heart surgery is inherently risky, but using defective surgical components greatly increases the chances of complications. When excess material obstructs the flow path in an aortic root cannula, it can:
These risks can result in devastating complications such as:
If your loved one suffered a stroke, lost brain function, or died following a procedure using a Medline surgical kit, this recall may be the reason—and your family deserves to know your legal rights.
Our firm is currently reviewing cases involving individuals harmed by Medline heart surgery kits containing Medtronic’s recalled cannulas. You may qualify to file a lawsuit if:
Even if you are unsure which surgical kit was used, medical records and supply logs from the hospital can be reviewed by our legal team. These records often list product batch numbers and supply kit identifiers that can help determine if a recalled device was involved.
Filing a lawsuit against a medical manufacturer or supplier may feel overwhelming—especially after a traumatic surgical complication or the loss of a loved one. Our law firm handles all aspects of the legal process, including:
We do not charge legal fees unless we recover money for you.
At Parker Waichman LLP, we represent patients and families nationwide who have been harmed by unsafe medical products and surgical tools. The recall of Medline heart surgery kits containing Medtronic aortic root cannulas presents a clear and preventable risk. When patients suffer as a result of these failures, the manufacturers and distributors must be held accountable.
We are currently accepting injury and wrongful death cases related to this Class I recall. Our legal team will carefully review your case, identify all responsible parties, and work tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one experienced complications, stroke, or death during heart surgery involving a Medline procedure kit, legal action may help you secure justice and financial relief. The inclusion of defective Medtronic aortic root cannulas in these kits puts lives at risk, and your family deserves answers.
Call Parker Waichman LLP today at 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529) for a free, confidential consultation. We are investigating injury and wrongful death claims nationwide. There are no legal fees unless we win your case.Don’t wait—learn your rights today and take the first step toward holding those responsible accountable.
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