Sharp's Heart and Vascular Medical Firsts

Sharp has a long history of being an innovator and leader in cardiac care in San Diego.

2008
Sharp Memorial Hospital joined with Montreal Heart Institute in Quebec, Canada, to complete the first phase of certification training for the CardioWest™ temporary Total Artificial Heart (TAH-t).

Sharp Memorial Hospital announced that the HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist System (LVAS) received FDA approval as a bridge-to-transplant (BTT) treatment option for patients suffering from advanced-stage heart failure. 

2007
Sharp Memorial participated in the first-ever gene transfer therapy clinical trial in patients with heart failure 2005.

Sharp Memorial Hospital performed San Diego's first robotic-assisted, minimally invasive heart surgery using the da Vinci® Surgical System.

2002
Sharp Memorial performed the first heart-kidney transplant in San Diego.

Sharp Memorial was the first hospital in California recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid as a Destination Center for mechanical assist device.

1986
Sharp Memorial placed the first mechanical assist device (artificial heart pump) in San Diego.

1985
Sharp Memorial implanted the first cardiac defibrillator in San Diego.

Sharp Memorial performed the first heart transplant in San Diego.

1958
Sharp Memorial performed the first open-heart surgery in San Diego.

For More Information
For more information about heart and vascular care at Sharp or to find a Sharp-affiliated doctor, search for a San Diego cardiologist or call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277), Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. To find general information about heart and vascular care, visit Cardiovascular Diseases in Adult Health or read the Heart and Cardiovascular News archive.