The striking results of the REMATCH trial, demonstrating the efficacy of Thoratec's ventricular assist device to extend the life of terminal heart failure patients, is heartening clinicians and patients and opening up new markets for ventricular assist device manufacturers. Thoratec still faces FDA and reimbursement hurdles before its devices become long-term therapies in large volumes of patients. Meanwhile, the competition hopes to profit from the precedent-breaking REMATCH results, and overtake Thoratec's lead with claims of technological superiority in the long-term heart assist market.

MicroMed Technology has embarked on a strategy aimed at creating a little "R&R" for the failing heart--rest, and revascularization. The company is at the head of a class of start-up companies developing implantable left ventricular devices. But it recently added to its technology platform a drug developed by Chrysalis Biotechnology, that has the potential to revascularize ischemic areas of the heart.