January 27, 2009 - Thanks to the CardioWest temporary Total Artificial Heart and portable driver, recipient Mr. Potiron was able to leave University Hospital of Nantes for the first time in more than a year to celebrate Christmas at home.
"We have waited for a long time to put one of our patients on the portable driver because it is in limited supply," explained Prof. Daniel Duveau, Medical Director for the Thorax Institute at University Hospital of Nantes. "We eagerly await the arrival of the new Companion Driver System so that more of our artificial heart patients can enjoy a near-normal quality of life at home. Many of these patients can shop, travel, visit family and live life like people with human hearts. Quality of life is very important because these patients can wait up to two years for a matching human heart due to the shortage of donors."
"Without the CardioWest artificial heart, I wouldn't be here today. I feel healthier than I have in years," said Mr. Potiron, who received his artificial heart on Nov. 18, 2007, after suffering two heart attacks.
Originally designed as a permanent replacement heart, the CardioWest artificial heart is currently approved as a bridge to human heart transplant for patients dying from end stage biventricular failure.
In Q1 2009, SynCardia will apply for CE approval of the Companion Driver in Europe and apply to the FDA to conduct an IDE clinical study of the Companion Driver in the U.S. The Companion Driver is designed for use in the hospital and at home. SynCardia projects a 400 percent increase in the number of patients benefiting from the CardioWest artificial heart in the 24 months following regulatory approvals.
For more information:syncardia.com
November 20, 2023 
