Devices Cardiology

 News Release - July 27, 2006

WorldHeart Announces Five Years of Novacor LVAS Support in a US Recipient

Record Support Duration on Original Pulsatile Device

OAKLAND, Calif., July 27 (HSMN NewsFeed) -- World Heart Corporation (Nasdaq: WHRT, TSX: WHT) (WorldHeart), a global technology leader in mechanical circulatory support systems, announced today that a US patient entered his sixth year of continuous support on his original Novacor® Left Ventricular Assist System (LVAS).

In July, 2001, Jack Fawbush of Whitesburg, Tennessee received the Novacor LVAS as definitive treatment after all other therapeutic options for his end-stage heart failure had been ruled out. On Tuesday he and Norma, his wife of 52 years, celebrated both the birth of their third great-grandchild and the fifth anniversary of successful support with the Novacor heart assist system. Mr. and Mrs. Fawbush continue to actively manage their farm while their home serves as the nerve center of their extended family.

Five years ago, Mr. Fawbush was hospitalized at Vanderbilt University Hospital, dying from heart failure. His age, and the effects of years of diabetes, made him ineligible for heart transplantation. At that time, he and Norma agreed that he would enroll in the INTrEPID (Investigation in Non- Transplant Eligible Patients who are Inotrope Dependent) feasibility clinical trial underway at Vanderbilt and other major hospitals. The INTrEPID trial preceded the current pivotal RELIANT Trial (Randomized Evaluation of the Novacor LVAS In A Non-Transplant Population).

"The Novacor pump has given me the ability to do the things I couldn't when I was sick and the gift of five more years with my family," commented Mr. Fawbush. "Today I met my newest great-grand-baby."

"We are quite gratified to see Mr. Fawbush reach this milestone on the Novacor LVAS," remarked Jal S. Jassawalla, WorldHeart President and CEO. "This event marks the longest implant duration of any single pulsatile circulatory support device, highlighting the Novacor system's unmatched record of reliability and durability. It also shows the progress in our field in providing long-term circulatory support in patients with advanced heart failure."

About World Heart Corporation

WorldHeart is a global technology leader in mechanical circulatory support systems, dedicated to working with physicians to provide reliable, long-term mechanical circulatory support products and services to the broadest patient population through technology, leadership and innovation. The company is headquartered in Oakland, California, with additional facilities in Salt Lake City, Utah and in Heesch, Netherlands. WorldHeart's registered office is Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Any forward-looking statements in this release including those about planned clinical studies and breadth of the company's product platform are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that all forward- looking statements involve risk and uncertainties, including without limitation: risks in the Company's ability to adequately finance the product development and commercialization of the Company's products; potential delays in successfully completing preclinical testing and planned clinical trials; possibility of unsuccessful results in subsequent feasibility studies with the rotary VAD and other risks detailed in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10- KSB, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2005.

Source: World Heart

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