Press Release:

TUCSON, Ariz. – Nov. 19, 2009 – On Nov. 16, the heart failure community suffered a tragic loss when Dr. Kenneth Baughman, a prominent cardiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, died after being struck by a car while out for a morning jog. Dr. Baughman, 63, was in Orlando, FL, attending the American Heart Association (AHA) 2009 Scientific Sessions.

“Dr. Baughman was my mentor when I was a fellow at Johns Hopkins,” said Dr. Marvin Slepian, interventional cardiologist and Chairman of SynCardia Systems, manufacturer of the SynCardia temporary CardioWest™ Total Artificial Heart. “Over the years, he encouraged my research, including work with the Total Artificial Heart. The heart failure community is greatly saddened by this tragic loss of a pivotal leader.”

As an associate editor of the New England Journal of Medicine, Dr. Baughman reviewed the professional paper presenting the results of the pivotal clinical study of the Total Artificial Heart, published on Aug. 26, 2004. He also served as the editor of a textbook chapter on the SynCardia Total Artificial Heart, published in Treatment of Advanced Heart Disease in 2006. 

Dr. Baughman had served as the director of the advanced heart disease section of the cardiovascular division at Brigham and Women’s Hospital since 2002. Prior to this position, he had served as the director of the cardiology division at Johns Hopkins Medical Center since 1992 and had been on faculty at Hopkins since 1979.

Dr. Baughman leaves behind his wife, Cheryl, two sons, Matthew and Christopher, their wives Michelle and Holly and four grandchildren.

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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 CardioWest™ Total Artificial Heart. There have been more than 800 implants of the Total Artificial Heart, accounting for more than 180 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