Press Release:

TUCSON, Ariz. – May 25, 2006 – Tucson Cardiologist, Dr. Marvin J. Slepian, has been chosen to receive one of three 2006 University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Distinguished Alumni Awards for his significant contributions to the health field.

Dr. Slepian was honored May 20th during the Annual Alumni Banquet in Cincinnati. “You have been an outstanding example during your many years of service to the medical community,” said Dr. John M. Keefe, President, Executive Council of the Medical Alumni Association. “We are pleased to claim you as one of our alumni and now as a 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.”

Dr. Slepian received his A.B. degree in Biochemical Sciences from Princeton University in 1977 and his M.D. from the University of Cincinnati in 1981. Dr. Slepian completed his residency in Internal Medicine at NYU-Bellevue, where he also served as Chief Resident. He then trained in Cardiology at Johns Hopkins and in Interventional Cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic.

Among his accomplishments, Dr. Slepian has authored more than 150 publications and 60 patents in the field of vascular biology, polymeric biomaterials, local drug delivery and artificial organs. He is the Director of Interventional Cardiology and Director of Tissue Engineering Laboratory at the University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center and Professor of Medicine at the University of Arizona.

Of his significant contributions to the medical field, Dr. Slepian was instrumental in the formation of SynCardia Systems, Inc., maker of the CardioWest™ Temporary Total Artificial Heart (TAH-t).

The CardioWest™ TAH-t completely replaces the blood pumping function of the diseased heart. For patients with end-stage congestive heart failure in imminent risk of death, this device has proven to be a life-saver, allowing them to be “bridged” and supported until a human heart transplant may be performed. The CardioWest™ TAH-t is the culmination of over forty years of research on Artificial Hearts initiated as a mandate during the Kennedy administration. Early investigators with early versions of this device included Drs Kolff, Jarvik and Devries. In the 1990’s the device and technology moved to University Medical Center (UMC) in Tucson and was subsequently renamed the CardioWest™ temporary Total Artificial Heart. In 2000, budget cutbacks at UMC came close to stopping the study of this technology. Dr Slepian along with Richard G. Smith, MSEE, CCE, and cardiovascular surgeon Jack Copeland, M.D. formed SynCardia Systems, Inc. in 2001 to save the TAH-t.

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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