World Heart's Levacor VAD implant performed at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center

World Heart Corporation ("WorldHeart") (Nasdaq: WHRT), a developer of mechanical circulatory systems, announced today that the first U.S. implant of the Levacor Ventricular Assist Device ("VAD") was successfully performed at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center ("INTEGRIS") in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, January 13, 2010.

This is the first implant in the Levacor VAD bridge-to-transplant ("BTT") study, which is expected to enroll 160 patients, pursuant to a recently approved U.S. Investigational Device Exemption Application. INTEGRIS is the first of the initial ten BTT clinical study sites.  

The recipient, an Oklahoma native, is a 59- year-old woman suffering from severe cardiomyopathy, or a weakened heart muscle. Dr. Craig Elkins, cardiac surgeon and INTEGRIS' surgical Principal Investigator for the study commented, "The device implant was remarkably smooth with a relatively short procedure and the patient is recovering quickly from her surgery. We are excited to participate in the study and pleased to offer to our patients this new technology."  

Mr. J. Alex Martin, WorldHeart's President and Chief Executive Officer added, "We are especially pleased to reach this important milestone and are gratified to provide this therapy to bridge those waiting for a donor heart."