PLEASANTON, Calif., May 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Thoratec Corporation (Nasdaq: THOR), a world leader in device-based mechanical circulatory support therapies to save, support and restore failing hearts, today announced the election of Paul A. LaViolette, the former chief operating officer of Boston Scientific, to its board of directors. LaViolette was elected by the company's shareholders at the company's annual shareholders' meeting on May 13 and brings the number of the company's directors to eight.
LaViolette spent 14 years at Boston Scientific and served as chief operating officer from 2004-2008. Before that, he was senior vice president and group president for several of the company's divisions and its international operations. He was formerly associated with C.R. Bard, Inc., where he held senior management positions and led several of the company's divisions.
'We are pleased to have someone with Paul's broad cardiovascular and medical device experience joining our board. His industry knowledge and successful track record of growing medical technology businesses will be of great value to Thoratec as we pursue our growth strategies,' said Gary F. Burbach, president and chief executive officer of Thoratec.
'I also want to acknowledge the contributions of those directors who are stepping down. Dr. J. Donald Hill, a founder of the company and a director since its inception, is a pioneer in the development and use of ventricular assist devices and played a major role at Thoratec throughout the history of the company. Howard Chase, who served as a director for more than 20 years, provided great counsel and support as the company became a leader in treating advanced stage heart failure,' Burbach added.
Thoratec Corporation is a world leader in therapies to address advanced-stage heart failure. The company's product lines include the Thoratec(R) VAD (Ventricular Assist Device) and HeartMate(R) LVAS (Left Ventricular Assist System), with more than 13,000 devices implanted in patients suffering from heart failure. Additionally, its International Technidyne Corporation (ITC) division is a leader in point-of-care blood testing and skin incision products. Thoratec is headquartered in Pleasanton, California.
