Press Release:

Dr. Nicholas Smedira, Cleveland Clinic

TUCSON, Ariz. – Nov. 3, 2009 – SynCardia Systems, Inc. (www.synardia.com), manufacturer of the SynCardia temporary CardioWest™ Total Artificial Heart, announced today that Cleveland Clinic has performed the world’s first Total Artificial Heart to dual heart and liver transplant.

“Cleveland Clinic has made medical history with their use of the Total Artificial Heart to bridge a very ill patient to a dual heart and liver transplant,” said Dr. Jack Copeland, internationally renowned transplant surgeon and Total Artificial Heart pioneer. “My congratulations go out to Drs. Nicholas Smedira and Randall Starling, two world class physicians.”

After living with the Total Artificial Heart for 113 days, on May 1, 2009, Dr. Michael Zabell received the donor heart and liver during a 14-hour landmark surgery involving two different transplant teams. Today, Dr. Zabell is enjoying life at home with his wife of 19 years and his two daughters, ages 17 and 15.

Dr. Randall Starling, Cleveland Clinic

"I’ve had more doctors than the Cleveland Browns have had quarterbacks,” said Dr. Zabell. “Dr. Smedira is not only an outstanding surgeon but he’s really a wonderful guy. Cleveland Clinic has an outstanding group of surgeons, physicians and hospital staff, including my cardiologist Dr. Starling. I can’t say enough about the care.”

Dr. Zabell was first admitted to the hospital to wait for a heart transplant on Aug. 18, 2008. He was given medication to help his heart function, but his condition continued to deteriorate. By January 8, 2009, his heart had become so weak that doctors needed to implant the Total Artificial Heart to buy him more time until a matching donor heart and liver could be found.

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*Disclosure* Nicholas Smedira, MD, is a paid consultant for SynCardia Systems, Inc.

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 950 implants of the Total Artificial Heart, accounting for more than 230 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