Cedars-Sinai patient is first in California and one of the first in the nation to utilize a new portable artificial heart after it received FDA approval

WHO:
A 59-year-old patient from San Pedro (CA) who is being kept alive by two machines (an artificial heart and a kidney dialysis system) and is awaiting a dual organ transplant (heart-kidney) at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, is the first in California and one of the first in the nation to utilize a new portable artificial heart since it received FDA approval on June 1, 2001. The device greatly enhances patient mobility, enabling patients to leave the hospital campus for excursions within a two-hour radius of the hospital. Manufactured by Thoratec Corporation of Pleasanton CA, the portable unit weighs only 21.6 pounds and is the size of a briefcase compared to the conventional 450-pound, washing machine-sized console that is currently in use. The patient, Charles Jones was successfully switched from the conventional console to the portable console this morning (Tuesday, July 31) and is able to walk about freely. Jones has an idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (an enlarged heart), which has resulted in both end-stage heart failure and acute renal failure. He has been hospitalized since June 16. His artificial heart was implanted on June 26.

WHAT:
According to cardiothoracic surgeon, Kathy E. Magliato, M.D., head of the artificial heart program at Cedars-Sinai, the portable TLC-II console greatly increases patient mobility. For example, family members can take patients home for dinner, to a movie, to church or to special family events, etc. Using the conventional console, patients could not leave the hospital campus as the console which powers the artificial heart is too large and too heavy and has only a 40-minute battery. The portable unit, however, has four (4) rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, each of which provides 80 �120 minutes of power for the artificial heart. The TLC-II can also be plugged into a regular 110-volt outlet. The portable unit can be wheeled on a small cart about the size of a carry-on airline luggage carrier or carried with a shoulder strap.

WHEN:
A media briefing is scheduled for Wednesday, August 1, at 10:00 a.m. The patient, along with cardiac surgeons Alfredo Trento, M.D., and Kathy Magliato, M.D., and heart transplant surgeon Lawrence Czer, M.D., will be available for media interviews and photos. A kidney transplant expert will also be on hand.

WHERE:
The briefing will be held at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, North Tower, Plaza Level Lobby

Please park in the North Tower Visitor�s Parking Lot. Take the elevator to the Plaza Level and ask for Toshia Johnson.

CONTACT:
For media information and interviews, please contact Toshia Johnson via e-mail at toshia.johnson@cshs.org or by calling 310-423-4062 or 4767. Alternate phone number: 1-800-880-2397. Thank you.