Devices Cardiology

 News Release - January 20, 2006

CardiacAssist Surpasses 500th Heart Assist Procedure

Heart centers perform life-saving procedures with TandemHeart(R) PTVA(R) System left ventricular assist device

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 20 (HSMN NewsFeed) -- CardiacAssist, Inc., a Pittsburgh- based medical device company that develops, manufactures and markets cardiac assist devices, has announced the completion of the 500th worldwide procedure to help heart failure patients survive heart attacks, high-risk procedures and other cardiac interventions without undergoing major surgery.

Four prestigious heart centers across the U.S. helped CardiacAssist surpass the 500th procedure for its TandemHeart PTVA System, a percutaneous left ventricular assist device (LVAD) with FDA 510(k) clearance for short-term use.

"Working together with regional heart centers around the nation, we've been able to reach a new level of acceptance," said Michael Garippa, president and CEO of CardiacAssist. "The TandemHeart System's superior flow rate, minimal complications, and the speed with which it can be delivered to critically ill patients without traumatic surgery will continue to increase this device's presence in heart centers in this country and abroad."

The centers performing the procedures during the week of January 8-January 14, 2006 include:

• University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, Wis.;
• Medical City Heart, Dallas, Texas;
• Deborah Heart & Lung Center, Browns Mills, N.J.; and
• University of Washington Regional Heart Center, Seattle, Wash.

The TandemHeart System helps restore blood circulation through a cardiac catheterization procedure in as little as 30 minutes. The resulting increase in blood flow -- up to five liters per minute -- helps to save vital organs and gives damaged hearts a chance to heal when patients experience acute, life-threatening heart conditions.

The TandemHeart System is the only percutaneous ventricular assist device cleared by the FDA for sale in the U.S. The TandemHeart System is fully reimbursed by Medicare under existing DRG codes. The device can be placed rapidly in the cath lab or operating room, providing effective, reliable temporary circulatory support for critically ill patients.

To date, more than 500 uses of the device in 28 countries at 60 different facilities by 100 different physicians have been performed.

About CardiacAssist

Founded in 1996, CardiacAssist, Inc. is a privately held, Pittsburgh-based medical device company that develops, manufactures and markets innovative products designed to provide cardiologists and cardiac surgeons with minimally invasive solutions for treating weakened and failing hearts. Its vision is to help advance the treatment of heart disease by bridging gaps in current treatment methodologies.

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements that relate to CardiacAssist's future business and financial performance. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual events or future results to differ from those discussed herein.

Source: CardiacAssist

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