TUCSON, Ariz. - (Business Wire) SynCardia Systems, Inc. (www.syncardia.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.
“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.
*Disclosure* Nicholas Smedira, MD, is a paid consultant for SynCardia Systems, Inc.
Originally used as a permanent replacement heart, the Total Artificial Heart is currently approved as a bridge to human heart transplant for patients 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.
The SynCardia Total Artificial Heart is the first and only FDA, Health Canada and CE Mark approved Total Artificial Heart in the world. There have been more than 800 implants of the Total Artificial Heart, accounting for more than 170 patient years of life on the device.
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SynCardia Systems, Inc.
Don Isaacs
Vice President of Communications
Cell: 520-955-0660
