Press Release:

TUCSON, Ariz. – Aug. 28, 2007 – Dr. Marvin Slepian, co-founder and chairman of SynCardia Systems, Inc., the manufacturer of the CardioWest™ temporary Total Artificial Heart (TAH-t), presented at the 36th Annual Southwest Heart Symposium at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa in Santa Ana Pueblo, N.M., on August 24 and 25.

Dr. Slepian, an interventional cardiologist, scientist and patent-holder in the field of cardiology, presented two lectures during the event: one on stents and the second on the artificial heart. During his TAH-t lecture, Dr. Slepian explained that the artificial heart pumps more blood than almost all human hearts.

“A TAH-t implant is like getting a donor heart from a Super Bowl MVP. Its superior pumping capability helps rejuvenate vital organs that are dying from low blood supply,” Dr. Slepian explained. “For transplant eligible patients dying from end-stage biventricular failure, the TAH-t provides a second chance at life as a bridge-to-transplant.” 

In the pivotal clinical study of the TAH-t published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM 2004; 351: 859-867), 79 percent of patients receiving the TAH-t survived to transplant, the highest survival rate for any device. The one-year survival rate for patients receiving the TAH-t was 70 percent versus 31 percent for control patients who did not receive the device.

The CardioWest TAH-t is the only FDA approved temporary artificial heart in the world. More than 650 patients have received a TAH-t, accounting for more than 100 patient years of life.

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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