Event Classification NEUROMODULATION PRODUCT PERFORMANCE

Events currently collected in the registry include all events that appear or worsen during the registry and are a result of:

  • Implanted or external components (device related),
  • Implant or modification procedure (procedure related), or
  • Infusion or stimulation therapy (therapy related).

Information on all deaths is also collected regardless of their relatedness to the device, implant procedure, and/or therapy.

For centers participating in the PSR protocol, specific therapy relevant events for deep brain stimulation are also collected and include:

  • Negative changes in behavior from baseline,
  • New or worsening depression from baseline, and
  • New or worsened suicidal ideation from baseline, attempted suicide or completed suicide.

For some events related to implanted neuromodulation systems that did not exist in the MedDRA dictionary, Medtronic used their own coding system, and all results were integrated for reporting purposes.

Registry Definitions

In the registry, the events are defined as follows (see Figure 2.1 for the procedure to detemine the event types):

  • Adverse Event any death or undesirable experience (associated with signs, symptoms, illnesses, or other medical events) occurring to the patient that appears or worsens during the clinical study and is possibly related to the device, procedure, and/or therapy.
  • Device Event: an issue with any of the implantable or external system components.
  • Therapy Relevant Event: a specific event type for deep brain stimulation therapies which are collected regardless of relatedness to the device, procedure, or therapy.

Product Performance and Non-product Performance Categorization

For analysis purposes, events collected were collapsed into two categories: product performance events and non-product performance events. All events were reviewed by Medtronic to determine if they were product performance-related (product performance events are events that are possibly due to a device-related issue). A non-product performance related event, or a clinical event not related to product performance, was any undesirable experience (associated with signs, symptoms, illnesses, or other medical events) occurring to the patient, and that appears or worsens during the clinical study. These clinical events not related to product performance possibly resulted from or were related to the implant procedure, or modification between implant and procedure, therapy, or delivery of therapy, and cannot be classified as product performance-related. All clinical events not related to a product performance and reported as a serious adverse event were summarized by MedDRA System Organ Class (SOC) if the event met a patient percentage threshold (0.5% to 1.0%).

Consistency and Accuracy

Consistency and accuracy of event reporting is monitored at four levels: through logic checks built into the study database as center personnel enter information; through review of each event by the study team as it is received by Medtronic; review by the Medical Advisor when necessary; and through routine monitoring at each center per Medtronic standard operating procedures. Monitoring is accomplished through a risk-based approach that aligns with the current FDA guidance on monitoring. Through this approach not every data field is monitored but an emphasis is placed on data related to the primary objective (e.g., events). Clarification and subsequent adjudication of events may be required for, but is not limited to, the following reasons:

  • Inconsistency with the protocols,
  • Inconsistency with the instructions provided to the centers through training materials,
  • Incomplete or inaccurate event description that makes a reported event reason, event reason detail, and the clinical data appear inadequate or inconsistent,
  • Medtronic Customer Support and Vigilance Complaint management requirement for additional information, or
  • Center personnel initiated corrections or additions.