Press Release:

TUCSON, Ariz. – Dec. 5, 2007 – On Nov. 26 and 27, two hospitals from Italy, one from Germany and one from Switzerland received the first phase of certification training for implanting the CardioWest™ temporary Total Artificial Heart (TAH-t) in Paris.

The four hospitals spent two days learning proper patient selection, blood management techniques, surgical procedures and patient recovery protocol. During the training, the group bested the previous record for fastest surgical technique, set July 18, 2007, by Dr. Stephen Clayson of Intermountain Medical Center (formerly LDS Hospital) in Salt Lake City.

A total of 20 hospital staff members participated in the CardioWest certification training. The hospitals and the implanting surgeons who participated included:

• The Heart Surgery Institute at the University of Padua (Italy)
  Prof. Dr. Gino Gerosa and Dr. Antonio Gambino


• University of Naples (Italy)
  Prof. Maurizio Cotrufo, Dr. Cristiano Amarelli, and Dr. Gianpaolo Romano


• Hannover Medical School (Germany)
  Prof. Dr. Martin Strüber and Frau Dr. Anna Meyer


• University Hospital Bern (Switzerland)
  PD Dr. Friedrich S. Eckstein

The final phase of certification training is the proctored first implant. The four hospitals are the 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st hospitals in the world to complete the first phase of certification training.

Today there are 22 TAH-t certified centers worldwide, with nine additional hospitals currently undergoing the certification process. There are already CardioWest certified centers in the United States, Germany, France, Canada and Austria. Sweden’s Sahlgrenska University Hospital completed its first phase of certification training in late August.

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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