MicroMed announced last month that surgeons at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center installed the DeBakey VAD in two patients awaiting heart transplantation.

Patrick McCarthy, M.D., performed the surgeries on the patients, who are reported to be “recuperating well.” McCarthy is the surgical director of the George M. and Linda H. Kaufman Center for Heart Failure at the Cleveland Clinic.

Drs. McCarthy and James B. Young, head of the section of Heart Failure at the Cleveland Clinic and medical director at the Kaufman Center, said the size of the DeBakey device is one of its best attributes.

“The new generation device is significant for several reasons,” said McCarthy. “It is much smaller than its predecessors. It is quiet–it cannot be heard unless one is using a stethoscope.

“In addition, the risk of infections appears to be lower than with the earlier generation of devices.”

Dr. Young said he was “excited about the whole concept of the smaller pump.

“This definitely signals a new era in pumps and heart assist devices.”

The DeBakey VAD is a battery powered, portable device that weights less than four ounces and is approximately one-tenth the size of the majority of heart-assist devices now in use.

MicroMed said the size of the device means implantation is less invasive than with larger VADs and operating time is reduced.

Also, said the Houston company, installing the DeBakey VAD results in less tissue disruption, and surgeons can expect a lower incidence of infection and perioperative bleeding.

Young, a member of a new federal advisory committee charged with developing organ transplantation policy, said the device creates hope for people awaiting heart transplantation.

“The smaller device buys time for people, including children, who now have a better chance to survive with the support of the VAD until a donor heart is available,” he said.

Earlier last month, MicroMed said it received conditional approval from the FDA to begin its pivotal multicenter clinical study of the device.

“Commencement of the multi-center trial in the U.S. is an important milestone in our corporate history,” said Dallas Anderson, CEO and president of MicroMed.