Press Release:

Drs. Marvin Slepian and Jack Copeland

TUCSON, Ariz. – Nov. 21, 2007 – On Nov. 17, Drs. Marvin Slepian and Jack Copeland, co-founders of artificial heart manufacturer SynCardia Systems, Inc., led SynCardia’s cycling team to promote cardiovascular health in America’s largest perimeter bicycle race, the 25th Annual El Tour de Tucson.

Dr. Slepian, an interventional cardiologist at University Medical Center (UMC) and SynCardia’s chairman and chief scientific and medical officer, captained the 40-member team. Team SynCardia consists of friends and supporters of SynCardia, which manufactures the CardioWest™ temporary Total Artificial Heart (TAH-t). The team is represented by a wide cross-section of riders:

• Dr. Copeland: One of the world’s most respected cardiothoracic surgeons, Copeland has cycled in more than 15 El Tours and was named by the Arizona Daily Star as one of the Top 25 El Tour Personalities. Copeland made history in August 1985, when he became the first surgeon to successfully use the artificial heart as a bridge to human heart transplant.

• Tyler and Mimi Ford: Tyler is the son of SynCardia CEO and President Rodger Ford. Tyler and his wife Mimi won the tandem 109-mile race last year, and also made the list of Top 25 El Tour Personalities.

• Bill Wohl: Wohl was a CardioWest™ artificial heart recipient in 1999. He was successfully bridged to a human heart transplant after 159 days on the artificial heart. Since receiving his donor heart in February 2000, Wohl has competed in Transplant Games all over the world in swimming, track and cycling. Wohl looks forward to El Tour each year, riding with Dr. Copeland and the other doctors who saved his life.

• Steve Langford: SynCardia’s Vice President of Clinical Support, Langford has been working with the artificial heart since 1985 when it was originally known as the Jarvik 7.

El Tour’s silver anniversary was marked by UMC’s first year as the title sponsor of the event. UMC is one of 22 heart centers worldwide certified to implant the CardioWest artificial heart.

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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