Thoratec Presentation at Canaccord Adams Conference to be Webcast

PLEASANTON, Calif., Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Thoratec Corporation
(Nasdaq: THOR), a world leader in device-based mechanical circulatory support
therapies to save, support and restore failing hearts, said today that it will
be participating in the Third Annual Canaccord Cardiovascular Conference on
Tuesday, November 10.

The presentation by Gary F. Burbach, president and chief executive officer,
will begin at 8 a.m., Pacific Standard Time (11 a.m., Eastern Standard Time).

The presentation will be available through the conference website at
http://www.newswire.ca/en/webcast/viewEvent.cgi?eventID=2843940 and via the
company's website at www.thoratec.com

Thoratec is a world leader in therapies to address advanced-stage heart
failure. The company's product lines include the Thoratec® VAD (Ventricular
Assist Device) and HeartMate® LVAS (Left Ventricular Assist System), with more
than 14,000 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. For more information, visit the
company's websites at http://www.thoratec.com or http://www.itcmed.com.

SOURCE Thoratec Corporation

David Smith, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of Thoratec
Corporation, +1-925-847-8600, or, Neal B. Rosen of Ruder-Finn,
+1-415-692-3058, for Thoratec