8 Fr 40cc Ultra 8 IAB, IAB-05840-U, Intra-aortic balloon catheter. The Intra-aortic balloon (IAB) is utilized for IAB counter-pulsation therapy, whereby balloon inflation in the aorta during diastole and deflation during systole increase blood supply to the heart muscle and decrease work of the left ventricle.

A fault in the connector of the pump tubing assembly may result in the volume setting on the pump defaulting to 2.5 ccs or 5 ccs (depending on IABP model) rather than the appropriate 30, 40, or 50 cc volume.

An "Urgent Medical Device Recall" letter dated February 2, 2009 was issued to consignees via US Certified Mail to notify users of the problem. Users were instructed to check their inventory for the affected products, quarantine, and return the them to Arrow International, Inc. Customers were also instructed to follow the "Mitigation Directions" in circumstances where alternate Intra-Aortic Balloon (IAB) catheters/adaptors or other forms of therapy are not available (until receipt of available product). Canadian accounts were notified on February 9, 2009 by courier and International accounts notified on 6 February 2009 and 10 February 2009 via Registered Post/UPS. Direct questions to your local Sales Representative or the Arrow International Customer Service at 1-800-523-8446 (US) or 1-919-361-4062 (outside US). Press Release issued April 13, 2009 is posted to firm's webiste: http://www.arrowintl.com/iab_recall.asp.