April 11, 2012 - The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a proposed rule that would delay, from Oct. 1, 2013 to Oct. 1, 2014, the compliance date for the International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition diagnosis and procedure codes (ICD-10).

April 9, 2012 — Thoratec and the U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) announced a recent Class 1 recall of the HeartMate II left ventricular assist device (LVAD) because detachment of the bend relief from its intended position around the proximal outflow graft may allow the graft to kink or deform, resulting in reduction of blood flow. The kink also may cause pump/graft thrombosis or perforation of the outflow graft. Additionally, the metal end of the bend relief may be sharp and cause erosion and cutting of the outflow graft.