Patient Story

Meet: Giuseppe Nicotera

• Age: 38 (at implant)
• Occupation: Hospital laboratory technician
• Diagnosis: Dilated cardiomyopathy
• SynCardia Total Artificial Heart implant date: Nov. 13, 2008
• Discharge date: March 16, 2009
• Transplant date: Feb. 23, 2011
• Time on SynCardia's Total Artificial Heart: 832 days
• Residence: Rome, Italy
• Hospital: San Camillo Hospital
• Surgeon(s): Prof. Francesco Musumeci, Dr. Antonio Loforte

In Really Bad Condition

I was suffering from severe heart failure with severe symptoms. I was in really bad condition. I was lying in bed in the hospital without energy and unable to breathe or walk normally.

The Only Solution

When my doctors told me I needed SynCardia's Total Artificial Heart, I thought it was the only solution to solve my severe illness.

After I received the Total Artificial Heart, I felt much better... as good as I felt before I developed my severe heart failure. I was doing physical therapy in the hospital every day, walking and riding the exercise bike.

“For our first patient, SynCardia's Total Artificial Heart proved to be an effective mechanical support treatment. The device rapidly stabilized the patient's hemodynamics and provided full recovery of end-organ function. We consider the Total Artificial Heart a safe option to offer to our patients in cases of severe biventricular heart failure.”         
– Prof. Francesco Musumeci, Director of Cardiac Surgery and Heart Transplantation, San Camillo Hospital

Going Home with the Portable Driver

When I was told I would be able to go home using the European portable driver, I was surprised and very happy. I was switched from the 418-lb "Big Blue" hospital implant driver to the smaller European portable driver in February 2009. A month later, I was discharged from the hospital on March 16, to wait for my donor heart at home. I rejoined my family and my friends. I enjoyed a normal life!

Bridged to Transplant after Two Years

On Feb. 23, 2011, I received my heart transplant after more than 2 years of life with the Total Artificial Heart. Today, I feel well and happy as I continue to recover.

I would tell someone who needs SynCardia's Total Artificial Heart that it is an optimal and safe treatment to bridge them to heart transplantation.

“The Total Artificial Heart proved to be effective for patient care outside the hospital. In our opinion, it provided a much improved quality of life for this patient until he received his heart transplant. Giuseppe was fully mobile and able to rejoin his family and friends, drive his car and perform almost all activities he had before his heart failed.”         
– Dr. Antonio Loforte, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, San Camillo Hospital

CAUTION - The European portable driver is CE approved for use in Europe. It is not FDA-approved for use in the U.S.

Longest Supported Total Artificial Heart Patient 

To date, fellow Italian Pietro Zorzetto, who lives in Padova, Italy, is the longest supported Total Artificial Heart patient in the world. After living with the Total Artificial Heart for 1,374 days (nearly 4 years), Mr. Zorzetto received his matching donor heart on Sept. 9, 2011.

VIDEO: Watch Italian Total Artificial Heart patient Pietro Zorzetto ride his bicycle wearing the Freedom® portable driver, which is CE approved for use in Europe, in the Backpack. Video may take a few moments to download.