Press Release:
Total Artificial Heart Patients Account for More Than 50 Years of Life
with European Discharge Driver
Total Artificial Heart Provides Reliable Supportfor Stable European Patients Outside the Hospital
Rajiv “Bobby” Dhawan and his wife Heidi, enjoy time together thanks to the European discharge driver.
TUCSON, Ariz. – Aug. 12, 2009 – SynCardia Systems, Inc., manufacturer of the SynCardia temporary CardioWest™ Total Artificial Heart, announced today that European Total Artificial Heart patients now account for more than 50 years of living with the European discharge driver.
“With the portable driver I am completely mobile,” said Rajiv “Bobby” Dhawan, who has been enjoying life at home with his Total Artificial Heart since March 2008. “It’s freedom! I do everything! I can go for a walk, go to a bar, go to a restaurant and go meet my friends.”
Overall, 69 patients have been supported with the European discharge driver:
-44 patients for > 6 months
-18 patients for > 1 year
-7 patients for > 18 months
-2 patients for > 2 years
Joachim Heumann enjoyed 257 days of life with the European discharge driver before receiving his matching donor heart.
“ Stable Total Artificial Heart patients flourish outside the hospital environment using the European discharge driver,” said Rodger Ford, president and CEO of SynCardia. “These patients are able to enjoy quality lives at home and in their communities. SynCardia’s Total Artificial Heart is the ideal solution for providing the reliable support that patients have come to depend on.”
SynCardia is currently developing a new 12-lb discharge driver designed for use in the U.S. and Europe.
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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
