Thoratec Reports 14 Percent Growth in Cardiovascular Division Sales as Third Quarter Revenues Increase Nine Percent

Thoratec Reports 14 Percent Growth in Cardiovascular Division Sales as Third
Quarter Revenues Increase Nine Percent
29 percent growth in non-GAAP net income per diluted share

PLEASANTON, Calif., Nov. 4 /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
revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 were $87.9 million, an increase
of nine percent over revenues of $80.8 million in the third quarter a year
ago. The results for the quarter reflect a 14 percent increase in revenues
from the company's Cardiovascular Division versus the same period a year ago.

Net income on a GAAP basis for the quarter ended October 3, 2009, was $11.8
million, or $0.20 per diluted share, compared with net income on a GAAP basis
of $6.1 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, in the third quarter a year ago.
Non-GAAP net income, which is described later in this press release, was $13.9
million, or $0.22 per diluted share, versus non-GAAP net income of $10.5
million, or $0.17 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2008.

For the first nine months of fiscal 2009, revenues were $269.4 million, an
increase of 18 percent versus revenues of $227.9 million in the first nine
months of 2008. On a GAAP basis, Thoratec reported net income of $19.2
million, or $0.33 per diluted share, versus net income of $13.0 million, or
$0.23 per diluted share, in the same period a year ago. Non-GAAP net income
for the first nine months of 2009 was $39.0 million, or $0.62 per diluted
share, compared with non-GAAP net income of $27.1 million, or $0.45 per
diluted share, in the first nine months of 2008.

"We continued to see robust growth in our Cardiovascular Division--where
year-to-date revenues are up nearly 30 percent--with continued strong
adoption of our HeartMate® II LVAS (Left Ventricular Assist System) for
Bridge-to-Transplantation (BTT) in both North America and Europe and ongoing
enrollment in our U.S. trial for Destination Therapy (DT) under Continued
Access Protocols (CAPs). This growth occurred despite facing a difficult
comparable due to the commercial launch of the HeartMate II for BTT last
year," said Gary F. Burbach, president and chief executive officer of
Thoratec. "Our Cardiovascular Division activity was offset by a modest decline
in revenues at our International Technidyne Corporation (ITC) Division
year-over-year," he added.

Burbach said the company believes it remains on track to have Destination
Therapy approval for the HeartMate II by early 2010. "We were recently
informed by the FDA that they will not utilize a panel as part of their review
process. We believe we have successfully responded to all of the FDA's
engineering and clinical questions and have been working with them on the
specifics of the post-approval study and device labeling. We are looking
forward to the presentation of the DT trial data as a late-breaking clinical
trial at the 2009 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association
meeting in two weeks," Burbach noted. "In the meantime, there have been a
number of recent presentations and publications of updated data from the
HeartMate II BTT trial and commercial experience that continue to demonstrate
positive patient outcomes."

The company said it added five new HeartMate II centers in North America
during the quarter, bringing the total added this year to 14 and an overall
total of 115 in North America. The company said it also added seven new
HeartMate II centers outside of North America during the quarter, bringing the
total added this year to 12 and the overall total internationally to 89.

Thoratec also said it had completed a successful launch of the new HeartMate
external peripherals, including new batteries, charger and power module.
Patient and clinician feedback on these enhanced offerings, which provide
patients more freedom and mobility, has been highly positive. The pace of
adoption for these new external peripherals has been strong, with almost 60
centers transitioning to them through the end of October.

Financial Highlights
Thoratec reported revenues of $87.9 million in the third quarter of 2009
versus revenues of $80.8 million in the third quarter of 2008. Cardiovascular
Division revenues were $65.1 million versus $57.1 million in the same period a
year ago. Revenues at ITC were $22.8 million versus $23.7 million a year ago.
The company said revenues at ITC reflect the impact of the current economic
environment on hospital and physician capital equipment purchasing activity
and competitive pressure in its professional ProTime business.

For the first nine months of 2009, Cardiovascular Division revenues were
$198.9 million versus $154.8 million in the first nine months of 2008.
Revenues at ITC were $70.5 million in the first nine months of 2009 versus
$73.1 million in the first nine months of 2008.

Gross margin on a GAAP basis in the third quarter of 2009 was 61.1 percent
versus 60.3 percent a year ago. Non-GAAP gross margin, which is described
later in this press release, was 61.7 percent versus 60.8 percent in the same
period a year ago. Factors favorably impacting gross margin in the quarter
included worldwide HeartMate II volume and the launch of the new HeartMate
external peripherals, offset in part by the impact of foreign exchange, lower
ITC volume and unfavorable manufacturing variances at ITC.

Operating expenses on a GAAP basis in the third quarter of 2009 were $40.1
million versus $40.6 million a year ago. On a non-GAAP basis, operating
expenses in the third quarter of 2009 were $33.8 million versus $35.2 million
in the third quarter of 2008. Operating expenses on a non-GAAP basis are
described later in this press release. This year over year decrease is
primarily related to lower compensation expense and other operating expenses
at ITC.

On a GAAP basis, other income totaled $3.9 million in the third quarter of
2009 versus other expense of $0.6 million a year ago. These changes in GAAP
other income and expense are primarily attributable to a $5.2 million fair
value gain on an embedded conversion feature within the HeartWare loan in part
offset by the decline in interest rates and shortened maturities in the
investment portfolio. The impact of the embedded conversion feature is
excluded on a non-GAAP basis.

The company's GAAP effective tax rate in the third quarter of 2009 was 32.6
percent versus 19.6 percent a year ago. The non-GAAP tax rate for the third
quarter of 2009, which is described later in this press release, was 34.0
percent versus 30.9 percent a year ago. The increases in the tax rates were
due to an increase in pre-tax earnings and lower tax-exempt interest.

On a non-GAAP basis, the company's convertible debt was dilutive to the
company's fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding. The increase was
approximately 7.3 million shares.

Cash and investments at the end of the third quarter of 2009 were $304
million, including $16 million of restricted cash related to the credit
facility made available to HeartWare International, Inc., and $25 million of
Auction Rate Securities classified as long-term investments. This compares
with $295 million at the end of the second quarter of 2009 and $279 million at
the end of fiscal 2008.

Guidance for Fiscal 2009
The following statements are based on current expectations. These statements
are forward-looking and actual results may differ materially. For a more
detailed discussion of forward-looking statements, please see additional
information below.

Revenues for 2009 are now expected to be in the range of $360-$365 million,
with GAAP net income per diluted share expected to be in the range of
$0.41-$0.46. Non-GAAP net income per diluted share is expected to be in the
range of $0.80 to $0.84.

Conference Call/Webcast Information
Thoratec will hold a conference call to discuss its financial results and
operating activities for all interested parties at 1:30 p.m., Pacific Standard
Time, (4:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time) today. The teleconference can be
accessed by calling (719) 325-4833, passcode 4647776. Please dial in 10-15
minutes prior to the beginning of the call. The webcast will be available via
the Internet at http://www.thoratec.com. A replay of the conference call will
be available through Wednesday, November 11, via http://www.thoratec.com or by
telephone at (719) 457-0820, passcode 4647776.

GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION
Thoratec management evaluates and makes operating decisions using various
measures. These measures are generally based on revenues generated by its
products and certain costs of producing that revenue, such as costs of product
sales, research and development and selling, general and administrative
expenses. We use the following measures, which are not calculated in
accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"): non-GAAP
gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP
other income and expense, non-GAAP tax rate, non-GAAP net income, and
non-GAAP EPS. These are non-GAAP financial measures under Section 101 of
Regulation G under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These
non-GAAP financial measures are calculated by excluding certain GAAP financial
items that we believe have less significance to the day-to-day operation of
our business. The company has outlined below the type and scope of these
exclusions and the limitations on the use of the non-GAAP financial measures
as a result of these exclusions.

Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures for financial and
operational decision making, including in the determination of employee annual
cash incentive compensation, as a means to evaluate period-to-period
comparisons, as well as comparisons to our competitors' operating results.
Management also uses this information internally for forecasting and
budgeting, as it believes that the measures are indicative of Thoratec core
operating results. Management also believes that non-GAAP financial measures
provide useful supplemental information to management and investors regarding
the performance of the company's business operations, provide a greater
transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in its decision
making, facilitate comparisons of results for current periods and guidance for
future periods with our historical operating results, and assist in analyzing
future trends.

Non-GAAP net income consists of GAAP net income, excluding, as applicable, the
tax effected impact of share-based compensation expense, amortization of
purchased intangibles, expenses associated with the retrospective adoption of
the accounting for convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash
upon conversion, including partial settlements in accordance with Financial
Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Codification
("ASC") 470-20, Debt, HeartWare transaction costs, and unrealized gains on the
equity conversion option included in the HeartWare loan agreement.

Non-GAAP net income per diluted share is defined as non-GAAP net income
divided by the weighted average number of shares on a fully-diluted basis.

Non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin consist of GAAP gross profit and gross
margin excluding share-based compensation expense.

Non-GAAP operating expenses consist of GAAP operating expenses excluding
share-based compensation expense, amortization of purchased intangibles, and
HeartWare transaction costs.

Non-GAAP other income and expense consists of GAAP other income and expenses
excluding expenses related to the accounting for convertible debt instruments
that may be settled in cash upon conversion, including partial settlements, in
accordance with ASC 470-20, Debt, and unrealized gains on the equity
conversion option included in the HeartWare loan agreement.

Non-GAAP tax rate consists of the GAAP tax rate adjusted for the tax effect of
the adjustments from GAAP net income to non-GAAP net income.

Management believes that it is useful in measuring Thoratec's operations to
exclude amortization of intangibles. These costs are primarily fixed at the
time of an acquisition and, unlike other fixed costs that result from ordinary
operations, are the result of infrequent and irregular events.

Because of varying valuation methodologies, subjective assumptions and the
variety of award types that companies can use, Thoratec management believes
that providing non-GAAP financial measures that exclude share-based
compensation allows investors to compare Thoratec's recurring core business
operating results to those of other companies and over multiple periods. The
exclusion also enhances investors' ability to review Thoratec's business from
the same perspective as Thoratec management, which believes that share-based
compensation expense is not directly attributable to the underlying
performance of the company's business operations.

Due to the subjective assumptions used to develop non cash interest expense
related to the accounting for convertible debt instruments that may be settled
in cash upon conversion, including partial settlements, in accordance with ASC
470-20, Debt, Thoratec management believes that providing non-GAAP financial
measures that exclude such expense allows investors to compare Thoratec's
recurring core business operating results to those of other companies and over
multiple periods. The exclusion also enhances investors' ability to review
Thoratec's business from the same perspective as Thoratec management.

To enable investors to compare Thoratec's recurring core business operating
results to those of other companies and over multiple periods, Thoratec has
excluded HeartWare acquisition transaction costs and the unrealized gain on
the equity conversion option included in the HeartWare loan agreement as they
are infrequent in nature

There are a number of limitations related to the use of non-GAAP financial
measures. First, non-GAAP financial measures exclude some costs, namely
share-based compensation, that are recurring expenses. Second, share-based
compensation is part of an employee's compensation package and as such may be
useful for investors to consider. Third, the components of costs that we
exclude in our non-GAAP financial measures calculations may differ from
components that our peer companies exclude when they report their results from
operations.

Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as a substitute for
measures of financial performance in accordance with GAAP. However, these
measures may provide additional insight into Thoratec's financial results.
Investors and potential investors are strongly encouraged to review the
reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures contained within this press
release with their most directly comparable GAAP financial results and not to
rely on any single financial measure to evaluate our business.

The reconciliations of the forward looking non-GAAP financial measures to the
most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in the tables below include
all information reasonably available to Thoratec at the date of this press
release. These tables include adjustments that we can reasonably predict.
Events that could cause the reconciliation to change include acquisitions and
divestitures of business, goodwill and other asset impairments and sales of
marketable equity securities.

The following table includes the GAAP income statement for the three
and nine month periods ending 2009 and 2008.

THORATEC CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except for per share data)

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
------------------ -----------------
September September
27, 27,
October 2008 As October 2008 As
3, Adjusted 3, Adjusted
2009 (1) 2009 (1)
---- ---- ---- ----
Product sales $87,917 $80,815 $269,442 $227,890
Cost of product sales 34,185 32,045 110,928 92,460
------ ------ ------- ------
Gross profit 53,732 48,770 158,514 135,430
------ ------ ------- -------
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and
administrative 24,226 23,845 82,457 68,338
Research and development 13,350 13,443 40,862 38,801
Amortization of purchased
intangible assets 2,568 3,295 8,067 9,887
----- ----- ----- -----
Total operating expenses 40,144 40,583 131,386 117,026
------ ------ ------- -------
Income from operations 13,588 8,187 27,128 18,404
Other income and (expense):
Interest expense (3,261) (2,834) (9,167) (8,249)
Interest income and other 7,134 2,183 9,759 6,642
----- ----- ----- -----
Income before income taxes 17,461 7,536 27,720 16,797
Income tax expense (5,684) (1,478) (8,483) (3,793)
------ ------ ------ ------
Net income $11,777 $6,058 $19,237 $13,004
======= ====== ======= =======

Net income per share
Basic $0.21 $0.11 $0.34 $0.24
===== ===== ===== =====
Diluted $0.20 $0.11 $0.33 $0.23
===== ===== ===== =====

Shares used to compute net income
per share:
Basic 56,683 55,328 56,511 54,702
Diluted 58,006 56,703 57,859 55,689

(1) Adjusted for the retrospective adoption of the accounting for
convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion,
including partial settlements in accordance with Financial Accounting
Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC")
470-20, Debt.

The following table reconciles the specific items excluded from GAAP net
income in the calculation of non-GAAP net income for the periods shown
below:

THORATEC CORPORATION
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Net Income
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except for per share data)

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
------------------ -----------------
September September
27, 27,
October 2008 As October 2008 As
Net income reconciliation 3, Adjusted 3, Adjusted
2009 (1) 2009 (1)
---- ---- ---- ----
Net income on a GAAP basis $11,777 $6,058 $19,237 $13,004
Share-based compensation expense:
- Cost of product sales 515 371 1,534 1,284
- Selling, general and
administrative 1,992 1,512 6,459 4,747
- Research and development 792 592 2,691 1,936
Amortization of purchased
intangibles 2,568 3,295 8,067 9,887
HeartWare transaction costs 984 - 12,313 -
Impact of adoption of ASC 470-20 1,945 1,825 5,659 5,219
Unrealized gain on embedded derivative
instrument on HeartWare loan (5,240) - (5,240) -
Income tax effect of non-GAAP
adjustments (1,454) (3,194) (11,713) (8,966)
------ ------ ------- ------
Net income on a non-GAAP basis $13,879 $10,459 $39,007 $27,111
======= ======= ======= =======

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
------------------ -----------------
September September
27, 27,
October 2008 As October 2008 As
Net income per diluted share 3, Adjusted 3, Adjusted
reconciliation 2009 (1) 2009 (1)
---- ---- ---- ----
Net income per diluted share on a GAAP
basis $0.20 $0.11 $0.33 $0.23
- Cost of product sales 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.02
- Selling, general and
administrative 0.04 0.02 0.11 0.09
- Research and development 0.01 0.01 0.05 0.04
Amortization of purchased intangibles 0.04 0.06 0.14 0.18
HeartWare transaction costs 0.02 - 0.21 -
Impact of adoption of ASC 470-20 0.04 0.03 0.10 0.09
Unrealized gain on embedded option
for convertible debt (0.09) - (0.09) -
Income tax effect of non-GAAP
adjustments (0.03) (0.06) (0.20) (0.16)
Convertible debt dilution impact (2) (0.02) (0.01) (0.06) (0.04)
----- ----- ----- -----
Net income per diluted share on a
non-GAAP basis $0.22 $0.17 $0.62 $0.45
===== ===== ===== =====
Shares used in calculation of net
Income per diluted share -- GAAP 58,006 56,703 57,859 55,689
Shares used in calculation of net
Income per diluted share --
non-GAAP (2) 65,297 63,993 65,150 62,979

(1) Adjusted for the retrospective adoption of the accounting for
convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion,
including partial settlements, in accordance with ASC 470-20, Debt.
(2) The company's total diluted share count on a non-GAAP basis for the
three and nine months ended September 27, 2008 and October 3, 2009 include
approximately 7.3 million shares underlying its convertible notes as they
were dilutive for the respective quarters.

The following table reconciles the specific items excluded from GAAP gross
profit and gross margin in the calculation of non-GAAP gross profit and
gross margin for the periods shown below:

THORATEC CORPORATION
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Gross Profit
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
------------------ -----------------
October September October September
3, 27, 3, 27,
2009 2008 2009 2008
---- ---- ---- ----
Gross profit on a
GAAP basis $53,732 61.1% $48,770 60.3% $158,514 58.8% $135,430 59.4%
Share-based
compensation
expense 515 371 1,534 1,284
--- --- ----- -----
Gross profit on a
non-GAAP basis $54,247 61.7% $49,141 60.8% $160,048 59.4% $136,714 60.0%
======= ======= ======== ========

The following table reconciles the specific items excluded from GAAP
operating expenses in the calculation of non-GAAP operating expenses for
the periods shown below:

THORATEC CORPORATION
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Operating Expenses
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
------------------ -----------------
October September October September
3, 27, 3, 27,
2009 2008 2009 2008
---- ---- ---- ----
Operating expenses on a GAAP basis $40,144 $40,583 $131,386 $117,026
Share-based compensation expense:
- Selling, general and
administrative (1,992) (1,512) (6,459) (4,747)
- Research and development (792) (592) (2,691) (1,936)
Amortization of purchased
intangibles (2,568) (3,295) (8,067) (9,887)
HeartWare transaction costs (984) - (12,313) -
---- --- ------- ---
Operating expenses on a non-GAAP
basis $33,808 $35,184 $101,856 $100,456
======= ======= ======== ========

The following table reconciles the specific items excluded from GAAP other
income and expense in the calculation of non-GAAP other income and expense
for the periods shown below:

THORATEC CORPORATION
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Other Income and Expense
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
------------------ -----------------
September September
27, 27,
October 2008 As October 2008 As
3, Adjusted 3, Adjusted
2009 (1) 2009 (1)
---- ---- ---- ----

Other income and (expense) on a
GAAP basis $3,873 $(651) $592 $(1,607)
Impact of adoption of ASC 470-20 1,945 1,825 5,659 5,219
Unrealized gain on embedded
Derivative instrument on
HeartWare loan (5,240) - (5,240) -
------ --- ------ ---
Other income on a non-GAAP basis $578 $1,174 $1,011 $3,612
==== ====== ====== ======

(1) Adjusted for the retrospective adoption of the accounting for
convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion,
including partial settlements, in accordance with ASC 470-20, Debt.

The following table reconciles the GAAP tax rate adjusted for the tax
effect of the adjustments from GAAP net income to non-GAAP net income.

THORATEC CORPORATION
GAAP to Non-GAAP Tax Expense Reconciliation
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
------------------ -----------------
September September
27, 27,
October 2008 As October 2008 As
3, Adjusted 3, Adjusted
2009 (1) 2009 (1)
---- ---- ---- ----
Tax expense
on a GAAP
basis $(5,684) 32.6% $(1,478) 19.6% $(8,483) 30.6% $(3,793) 22.6%
Share-based
compensation
expense (1,361) (1,175) (3,421) (2,970)
Amortization
of purchased
intangibles (1,027) (1,318) (3,227) (3,955)
HeartWare
transaction
costs (394) - (4,925) -
Impact of
adoption
of ASC
470-20 (768) (701) (2,235) (2,041)
Unrealized
gain on
embedded
derivative
instrument
on HeartWare
loan 2,096 - 2,096 -
----- - ----- -
Tax expense
on a
non-GAAP
basis $(7,138) 34.0% $(4,672) 30.9% $(20,195) 34.1% $(12,759) 32.0%
======= ======= ======== ========

(1) Adjusted for the retrospective adoption of the accounting for
convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion,
including partial settlements, in accordance with ASC 470-20, Debt.

The following table reconciles the guidance on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis
for the periods shown below:

THORATEC CORPORATION
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Forward-Looking Guidance
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except for per share data)

Net income per diluted share For the Fiscal Year Ended 2009
reconciliation
------------------------------
From To
---- --
Net income per diluted share on a GAAP basis $0.41 $0.46
Share-based compensation expense 0.17 0.16
Amortization of purchased intangibles 0.13 0.13
HeartWare transaction costs 0.15 0.15
Impact of adoption of ASC 470-20 0.05 0.04
Unrealized gain on embedded derivative
instrument on HeartWare loan (0.06) (0.06)
Income tax effect of non-GAAP
adjustments (0.05) (0.04)
----- -----
Net income per diluted share on a
non-GAAP basis $0.80 $0.84
===== =====

Shares used in calculation of net income
per diluted share - GAAP 58,000 59,000
Shares used in calculation of net income
per diluted share - non-GAAP(a) 65,000 66,000

(a) Shares used in the per share calculation for reconciling items between
GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures.

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 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 web sites at
http://www.thoratec.com or http://www.itcmed.com.

Thoratec, the Thoratec logo, HeartMate and HeartMate II are registered
trademarks of Thoratec Corporation and IVAD is a trademark of Thoratec
Corporation. ITC, A-VOX Systems, AVOXimeter, HEMOCHRON, ProTime and IRMA are
registered trademarks of International Technidyne Corporation. CentriMag is a
registered trademark of Levitronix, LLC.

Many of the preceding paragraphs, particularly but not exclusively those
addressing guidance for fiscal 2009 financial results, future performance or
timelines and milestones for clinical trials, contain forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements can be
identified by the words, "believes," "views,", "expects," "plans," "projects,"
"hopes," "could," "will," and other similar words. Actual results, events or
performance could differ materially from these forward-looking statements
based on a variety of factors, many of which are beyond Thoratec's control.
Therefore, readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these
statements. Investors are cautioned that all such statements involve risks and
uncertainties, including risks related to regulatory approvals, the
development of new markets including Destination Therapy, the growth of
existing markets for our products, customer and physician acceptance of
Thoratec products, change in the mix of existing market for our products and
related gross margin for such product sales, the results of enrollment in and
timing of clinical trials, including the HeartMate II, the ability to improve
financial performance, the effects of FDA regulatory requirements, our ability
to address issues raised by FDA inspections adequately and on a timely basis
without a resulting recall of product or interruption of manufacturing or
shipment of products, the effects of healthcare reimbursement and coverage
policies, the effects of seasonality on Thoratec product sales, the effects of
competition and the effects of any merger and acquisition related activities.
Forward-looking statements contained in this press release should be
considered in light of these factors and those factors discussed from time to
time in Thoratec's public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, such as those discussed under the heading," Risk Factors," in
Thoratec's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and in Thoratec's second
quarter 2009 quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and as may be updated in
subsequent SEC filings. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the
date hereof. Thoratec undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results
of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to
reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the
occurrence of unanticipated events.

SOURCE Thoratec Corporation

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