Press Release:

Marvin J. Slepian, Professor of Medicine (Cardiology and Biomedical Engineering) at the University of Arizona, co-founder and chairman of SynCardia Systems, Inc.

TUCSON, Ariz. – Dec. 2, 2010 – On Dec. 6, Marvin J. Slepian, M.D., Professor of Medicine (Cardiology and Biomedical Engineering) at the University of Arizona and co-founder and chairman of SynCardia Systems, Inc., manufacturer of the SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart, will be one of three keynote speakers at "Pumps & Pipes 4: No Boundaries," held at the Methodist Hospital Research Institute in Houston. The goal of Pumps & Pipes is to foster and build unique research opportunities between energy and medicine – Houston's largest industries - to enhance and develop resources and technologies.

According to the Pumps & Pipes website, "Much like moving oil through a pipeline, the heart must pump blood through vessels. Our intention is to stimulate discussion, spark ideas, explore synergies between these industries that face similar challenges in imaging, navigation, metallurgy, fluid dynamics, robotics and remote monitoring."

"The Total Artificial Heart is an example of several unique engineering marvels," said Dr. Slepian. "It has the shortest blood flow path (<20cm), which reduces the risk of thromboembolitic events, and the widest inflow and outflow diameters, which allows for high cardiac output (up to 9.5 L/min) while maintaining normal central venous pressure, which is essential for patient recovery." 

In addition to discussing the development and clinical use of the world's only FDA, Health Canada and CE approved Total Artificial Heart, Dr. Slepian will also discuss the new 13.5 lb Freedom driver, the first U.S. portable 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.

Dr. Slepian is Director of Interventional Cardiology and Director of the Tissue Engineering Lab at the University of Arizona. He has founded numerous medical device companies and has served as acting CEO and Board Member of several medical device startups. Additionally, Dr. Slepian has conducted extensive research, development and pre-clinical investigation of novel cardiovascular therapeutic methods and devices.

###

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
Like SynCardia on Facebook
Follow SynCardia on Twitter – @SynCardia
Connect with SynCardia on LinkedIn

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