Ventracor implants second US patient

Artificial heart company Ventracor (ASX:VCR) has implanted its second VentrAssist left ventricular assist system (LVAS) in the United States.

The implant is part of an FDA-approved feasibility study in 10 patients at up to five hospitals across the US. The procedure was performed by a team led by Prof Bartley Griffith at the University of Maryland Medical Centre in Baltimore last week.

Griffith, who performed both the first surgery on July 14 as well as the latest surgery, said he thought it was "another step toward providing the perfect heart pump."

The VentrAssist has now been implanted in more than 30 patients globally. Other hospitals to take part in the US study include the Cleveland Clinic, Columbia University, the University of Minnesota and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre.