Press Release:

TUCSON, Ariz. – Jan. 20, 2005 – SynCardia Systems, Inc., a privately held developer of biomechanical cardiac replacement and mechanical circulatory support devices, today announced that its CardioWest™ temporary Total Artificial Heart (TAH-t) was cited as the number one advance in cardiovascular medicine for 2004 by the American Heart Association (AHA). Created in 1996, the AHA’s yearly Top 10 list highlights major gains in heart disease and stroke research.

“We are grateful and honored with the naming of the temporary Total Artificial Heart as an advance for cardiovascular medicine by the AHA, and we are particularly excited for being cited as the number one out of ten on the list,” said Dr. Marvin J. Slepian, president and CEO, SynCardia Systems. “Congestive heart failure continues to grow in epidemic proportions in America and world-wide. Having a viable device that can act as a bail-out to bridge dying patients, allowing them to stabilize and survive to transplantation is a true advance.”

Dr. Slepian continues, “We are pleased to be given the recognition by the American Heart Association of the utility and value of mechanical circulatory device therapy as a viable therapeutic approach to end-stage congestive heart failure. The research, development and clinical investigation which have gone into our recent study, leading to our recent FDA approval, has involved numerous team members including surgeons, cardiologists, engineers, pharmacists and nurses who are all to be congratulated. We are confident in the efficacy of our device and plan to continue our research efforts with this technology platform. We plan to pursue investigations utilizing an enhanced version of our platform for the larger population of end-stage congestive heart failure, patients with envisioned use of the system for destination therapy.”

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About SynCardia Systems, Inc.

SynCardia Systems, Inc. is the Tucson-based manufacturer of the world’s only FDA, Health Canada and CE approved Total Artificial Heart: the SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart. There have been more than 850 implants of the Total Artificial Heart, accounting for more than 190 patient years of life on the device. 

Originally used as a permanent replacement heart, the Total Artificial Heart is currently approved as a bridge to human heart transplant for people dying from end-stage biventricular failure. The Total Artificial Heart is the only device that provides immediate, safe blood flow of up to 9.5 L/min through both ventricles.

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Media Contact:
Don Isaacs
Vice President of Communications
SynCardia Systems, Inc.
Cell: (520) 955-0660