News Releases

Jewish Hospital/University of Louisville Team Implants AbioCor

(LOUISVILLE) – A fifth patient received an AbioCor® Implantable Replacement Heart through the efforts of a Jewish Hospital/University of Louisville team led by surgeons Laman Gray, M.D., and Rob Dowling, M.D. The procedure took place January 22, 2003, and lasted about 10 hours. The patient is currently in critical but stable condition. At the request of the patient’s family, the patient’s name and other details are not being released.

Another Jewish Hospital patient, who received an AbioCor implant on January 7, 2003, continues to recover. The patient remains in critical but stable condition.

Jewish Hospital officials and the physicians who performed the procedures will not be available for further comment at this time. Updates will be provided as significant changes in either patients’ condition occur and at the request of the families.

The experimental procedure is the result of some 20 years of product research and development by ABIOMED, Inc., of Danvers, Mass. Jewish Hospital and University of Louisville surgeons Gray and Dowling began working with the company about four years ago. During the years leading up to the human implants, the device was validated in FDA approved animal trials. A team of nurses, perfusionists, physician assistants, anesthesiologists and other support staff also worked in the development of the device to learn how to care for patients.

Patients who are eligible to receive an AbioCor device have a high probability of dying within 30 days without the device. They are not candidates for other treatments, such as a heart transplants.

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