Top Turkish Transplant Hospital Begins Certification Training On SynCardia Total Artificial Heart

Main Category: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Also Included In: Heart Disease;  Transplants / Organ Donations
Article Date: 02 Dec 2009 - 8:00 PDT

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On Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, the surgical team from Ege University in Izmir, Turkey, led by Prof. Mustafa Ozbaran, head of the Transplant and Assist Device Program, completed the first phase of certification training for the SynCardia temporary CardioWest™ Total Artificial Heart in Paris.

"We are excited to deliver this technology to our sickest patients who do not have any other chance to survive until a donor heart is available," said Prof. Ozbaran. "The SynCardia Total Artificial Heart is an important and complementary tool for our assist device program."

Ege University is one of the biggest and oldest universities in Turkey. The heart transplant program, started in 1998, has become the most active program in the country, performing a total of 130 transplants. Each year, Ege University performs approximately 1,100 open heart surgeries.

In Turkey, the average wait time for a donor heart transplant is 18 to 24 months. There are currently 43 patients on the waiting list for a donor heart. Ege University is the first transplant hospital in Turkey and the 46th in the world to begin certification training for the SynCardia Total Artificial Heart.

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.

Source
SynCardia Systems, Inc.

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