University Of Iowa Discharges 1st Total Artificial Heart Patient In The Midwest
59-Year-Old Farmer Waits for Matching Donor Heart at Home as Part of FDA Clinical Study of Freedom Portable Driver
Tucson AZ - SynCardia Systems, Inc. (http://www.syncardia.com), manufacturer of the SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart, announced recently that University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics has discharged the first Total Artificial Heart patient in the Midwest to wait for a matching donor heart at home using a portable power supply called the Freedom driver. Richard Whittington, 59, received the Total Artificial Heart on July 6< /A> and after 34 days was discharged from the hospital on Aug. 9.
"We are very pleased with Mr. Whittington's rapid progress," said James Davis, M.D., the cardiothoracic surgeon who implanted the Total Artificial Heart. "This technology has clearly benefited him greatly, and we fully expect that we can help other patients who also need this type of highly advanced care and support."
Since age 33, Mr. Whittington has had five heart attacks, one stroke, two pacemakers, 11 stents and open heart bypass surgery. Having lived in pain from his heart problems for the past 15 years, today he says he feels great other than a little soreness from the surgery. He says he is looking forward to sitting on his porch, watching the corn grow and eating fresh tomatoes from his garden.
"We will co ntinue to work closely with his referring physicians to monitor his status, but indications thus far are telling us that he should do very well on this technology," explained Jennifer Goerbig-Campbell, M.D., a cardiologist in the UI Heart and Vascular Center. Mr. Whittington is participating in the FDA-approved Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) clinical study of the Freedom portable driver. Weighing 13.5 pounds, the Freedom driver is the first U.S. portable driver designed to power the Total Artificial Heart both inside and outside the hospital. As of today, there have been 25 people enrolled in the Freedom driver study. Of those 25, Mr. Whittington is the 13th to be discharged from the hospital.
"I'm going to go home, and they're going to go out and get me a heart," said Mr. Whittington. "After that, we'll have a big party."
Watch/read news coverage of Iowa's 1st Total Artificial Heart patient going home
Read press release from University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
About the SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart
SynCardia Systems, Inc. (Tucson, AZ) is the privately-held manufacturer of the world's first and only FDA, Health Canada and CE approved Total Artificial Heart. Similar to a heart transplant, the SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart replaces both failing heart ventricles and the four heart valves, eliminating the symptoms and source of end-stage biventricular failu re. Unlike a donor heart, the Total Artificial Heart is immediately available at SynCardia Certified Centers and does not require expensive anti-rejection medication, which can cause subsequent complications.
Originally used as a permanent replacement heart, SynCardia's Total Artificial Heart is currently approved as a bridge to transplant for people dying from end-stage biventricular heart failure. There have been more than 950 implants of the Total Artificial Heart, accounting for more than 230 patient years of life. It is the only device that provides immediate, safe blood flow of up to 9.5 liters per minute through both ventricles.
SynCardia Ranked #20 Among World's 50 Most Innovative Companies
In March 2011, Fast Company maga zine ranked SynCardia #20 in its annual list of the world's 50 Most Innovative Companies for "giving mobility to artificial heart recipients." Weighing 13.5 lbs, SynCardia's Freedom portable driver is the world's first wearable driver designed to power the Total Artificial Heart both inside and outside the hospital. The Freedom driver is CE approved for use in Europe and undergoing an FDA-approved Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) clinical study in the U.S.
SOURCE: SynCardia Systems, Inc.