EGE University Hospital in Izmir (Turkey) Establishes Successful VAD Program

BERLIN, March 15, 2010 - Prof. Mustafa Özbaran, leading surgeon of the VAD program at the EGE
University Hospital in Izmir, implanted for the first time a few days ago the
optimized 3rd generation Berlin Heart INCOR system with its new features. The
surgeon recalls "The implantation went very well, there were no
complications." Two years ago, Prof. Mustafa Özbaran implanted his first
Berlin Heart EXCOR system. Ever since then, further lifesaving implantations
of the paracorporeal EXCOR and the implantable INCOR system for the
critically ill patients followed. In total, Ege University implanted 15 EXCOR
Adult, 4 EXCOR Pediatric and 7 INCOR LVAD systems. The hospital, which
meanwhile became a regional reference center regarding ventricular assist
devices, achieves great outcomes with the products of the Berlin Heart
company. Dr. Stefan Thamasett, general manager of Berlin Heart, says "We are
really happy about the great results Prof. Özbaran and his team are
achieving. Thus patients with end-stage heart failure in Turkey receive with
our products the best treatment which is possible. Furthermore, we are glad
that, because of his experience and his VAD program's function as a reference
center, Prof. Özbaran supports other hospitals in different countries in
establishing ventricular assist device programs in order to set up
advanced-therapy programs for heart failure patients.

About the INCOR ventricular assist device

INCOR is an implantable left ventricular assist device for
adults. The impeller, the only moving part within the pump, is magnetically
levitated, which makes the pump unique worldwide and ideally suited for
long-term support. More than 500 patients have been supported with the
system, some of them for several years. The longest support time so far is
six years.

Increasingly, INCOR is used in patients who are suffering from
sever cardiac insufficiency as a life-saving device. Moreover, INCOR is
implanted in order to bridge the waiting time for a matching donor heart in
patients requiring heart transplantation. In rare cases, the mechanical
support can lead to recovery of the heart and subsequent explantation of the
system.

About Berlin Heart

Berlin Heart GmbH is the only company worldwide that develops,
produces, and distributes implantable and external ventricular assist devices
for patients of every age and body size. The company is market leader in
Germany and Europe. EXCOR(R) is currently under clinical investigation for
pediatric use in USA. All other products are not FDA approved.

    Contact:

    Kerstin Unkel
    Marketing & PR
    Phone: +49(0)30-8187-2708
    unkel@berlinheart.de

Kerstin Unkel, Marketing & PR, Phone: +49(0)30-8187-2708, unkel at berlinheart.de