Press Release:

TUCSON, Ariz. – Jan. 27, 2009 – On Dec. 25, 2008, CardioWest™ temporary Total Artificial Heart patient Mr. Potiron left University Hospital of Nantes for the first time in more than a year to spend Christmas at home with his family using the European portable driver.

“This Christmas was my best Christmas ever. There is no place like home,” said Mr. Potiron, who dressed up as Santa Claus for his four grandchildren. “My dream of spending Christmas at home with my family came true thanks to the artificial heart and portable driver.”

“We have waited for a long time to put one of our patients on the portable driver because it is in limited supply,” explained Prof. Daniel Duveau, Medical Director for the Thorax Institute at University Hospital of Nantes. “We eagerly await the arrival of the new Companion Driver System so that more of our artificial heart patients can enjoy a near-normal quality of life at home. Many of these patients can shop, travel, visit family and live life like people with human hearts. Quality of life is very important because these patients can wait up to two years for a matching human heart due to the shortage of donors.”

“Without the CardioWest artificial heart, I wouldn’t be here today. I feel healthier than I have in years,” said Mr. Potiron, who received his artificial heart on Nov. 18, 2007, after suffering two heart attacks.

In Q1 2009, SynCardia will apply for CE approval of the Companion Driver in Europe and apply to the FDA to conduct an IDE clinical study of the Companion Driver in the U.S. The Companion Driver is designed for use in the hospital and at home. SynCardia projects a 400% increase in the number of patients benefiting from the CardioWest artificial heart in the 24 months following regulatory approvals.

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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 200 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.

For additional information, please visit: http://www.syncardia.com
or follow SynCardia on Twitter – @SynCardia_News

 

Media Contact:
Don Isaacs
Vice President of Communications
SynCardia Systems, Inc.
Cell: (520) 955-0660