Press Release:

TUCSON, Ariz. – March 6, 2008 – As part of a new patient education series that SynCardia Systems, Inc. will launch this summer on its web site, the company has produced a eleven-minute video. It introduces patients to the subject of heart failure and the role of the CardioWest™ temporary Total Artificial Heart (TAH-t). Future additions will include the real life stories of two male and two female patients, ages 28 to 60, as well as artificial heart patients featured in television news.

The eleven-minute video is narrated by world-renowned heart surgeon Dr. Jack Copeland. The video also features CardioWest patient Don Sjolund talking about his artificial heart just three days after receiving his human heart transplant, and the story of award-winning transplant games medalist in swimming, track and cycling, Bill Wohl.

Over the last 23 years, Dr. Copeland and his team at University Medical Center have made major improvements in the treatment of artificial heart patients, including surgical technique, anticoagulation (blood management) and patient care protocols.

There are currently 24 CardioWest certified centers in the U.S. and Europe. These hospitals represent some of the world’s finest heart transplant centers, surgeons and physicians. Six CardioWest hospitals were ranked in U.S. News and World Report’s “2007 Best Heart Hospitals” issue: #1 Cleveland Clinic, #10 Barnes-Jewish Hospital, #19 Hospital University of Pennsylvania, #22 University of Michigan, #29 University Medical Center and #46 University of Maryland.

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About the SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart
SynCardia Systems, Inc. (Tucson, AZ) is the privately-held manufacturer of the world's first and only FDA, Health Canada and CE approved Total Artificial Heart. Originally used as a permanent replacement heart, SynCardia's Total Artificial Heart is currently approved as a bridge to transplant for people dying from end-stage biventricular heart failure. There have been more than 1,000 implants of the Total Artificial Heart, accounting for more than 250 patient years of life.

Similar to a heart transplant, SynCardia's Total Artificial Heart replaces both failing heart ventricles and the four heart valves, eliminating the symptoms and source of end-stage biventricular failure. Unlike a donor heart, the Total Artificial Heart is immediately available at SynCardia Certified Centers and does not require expensive anti-rejection medication, which can cause subsequent complications. It is the only device that provides immediate, safe blood flow of up to 9.5 liters per minute through both ventricles. This high volume of safe blood flow helps speed the recovery of vital organs, helping make the patient a better transplant candidate.

SynCardia Ranked #20 Among World's 50 Most Innovative Companies
In March 2011, Fast Company magazine ranked SynCardia #20 in its annual list of the "World's 50 Most Innovative Companies" for "giving mobility to artificial heart recipients." Weighing 13.5 pounds, SynCardia's Freedom® portable driver is the world's first wearable driver designed to power the Total Artificial Heart both inside and outside the hospital. The Freedom driver is CE approved for use in Europe and undergoing an FDA-approved Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) clinical study in the U.S.

For additional information, please visit: http://www.syncardia.com
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Media Contact:
Don Isaacs
Vice President of Communications
SynCardia Systems, Inc.
Cell: (520) 955-0660