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Tucson, Ariz.-May 25, 2006 - Tucson
Cardiologist, Dr. Marvin J. Slepian, has been chosen to receive one of three 2006
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Distinguished Alumni Awards for his
significant contributions to the health field.
Dr. Slepian was honored May 20th during the Annual Alumni
Banquet in Cincinnati. "You have been an outstanding example during your many
years of service to the medical community," said Dr. John M. Keefe, President,
Executive Council of the Medical Alumni Association. "We are pleased to claim
you as one of our alumni and now as a 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient."
Dr. Slepian received his A.B. degree in Biochemical Sciences
from Princeton University in 1977 and his M.D. from the University of Cincinnati
in 1981. Dr. Slepian completed his residency in Internal Medicine at NYU-Bellevue,
where he also served as Chief Resident. He then trained in Cardiology at Johns
Hopkins and in Interventional Cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic.
Among his accomplishments, Dr. Slepian has authored more
than 150 publications and 60 patents in the field of vascular biology, polymeric
biomaterials, local drug delivery and artificial organs. He is the Director of
Interventional Cardiology and Director of Tissue Engineering Laboratory at the
University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center and Professor of Medicine at the University
of Arizona.
Of his significant contributions to the medical field,
Dr. Slepian was instrumental in the formation of SynCardia Systems, Inc., maker
of the CardioWestTM Temporary Total Artificial Heart (TAH‑t).
The CardioWest™ TAH‑t completely replaces the blood
pumping function of the diseased heart. For patients with end-stage congestive
heart failure in imminent risk of death, this device has proven to be a life-saver,
allowing them to be "bridged" and supported until a human heart transplant may
be performed. The CardioWest™ TAH‑t is the culmination of over forty years
of research on Artificial Hearts initiated as a mandate during the Kennedy administration.
Early investigators with early versions of this device included Drs Kolff, Jarvik
and Devries. In the 1990's the device and technology moved to University Medical
Center (UMC) in Tucson and was subsequently renamed the CardioWest™ temporary
Total Artificial Heart. In 2000, budget cutbacks at UMC came close to stopping
the study of this technology. Dr Slepian along with Richard G. Smith, MSEE, CCE,
and cardiovascular surgeon Jack Copeland, M.D. formed SynCardia Systems, Inc.
in 2001 to save the TAH‑t.
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Media contact:
SynCardia Director of Communications
Donald Isaacs
Cell: 520-955-0660
About the CardioWest™ temporary Total Artificial
Heart
The CardioWest™ TAH‑t is a pneumatic, biventricular, implantable bridge-to-transplant
system for full cardiac replacement, taking the place of the failing heart in
patients at imminent risk of death. The device offers full circulatory support,
the shortest blood path and exposure to artificial surfaces, and the highest level
of cardiac output when compared with other artificial heart systems previously
tested. With the CardioWest™ TAH‑t, patients become better candidates for
eventual transplantation and have post-transplant survival rates equal to that
of non-device cardiac recipients.
About SynCardia Systems
Founded in 2001, SynCardia Systems is the developer of biomechanical cardiac replacement
and assist devices. Its CardioWest™ temporary Total Artificial Heart (TAH‑t)
is designed for severely ill patients with end-stage congestive heart failure.
The device serves as an in-hospital bridge-to-transplantation for patients at
imminent risk of death. SynCardia Systems is based in Tucson, Arizona and is on
the Web at http://www.syncardia.com.
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