March 16, 2004

News Release: World Heart Corporation to be traded on the NASDAQ National Market

(OTCBB: WHTOF, TSX: WHT) World Heart Corporation (WorldHeart or the Company) announced today that its common shares have been approved for trading on the NASDAQ National Market. Trading will begin on the NASDAQ National Market on March 18, 2004 under the ticker symbol 'WHRT'. The shares will no longer trade on the Over-The-Counter-Bulletin-Board ('OTCBB') system.

Roderick M. Bryden, WorldHeart President and CEO commented, 'Our NASDAQ National Market listing will allow us to bring increased liquidity to our shareholders. Also it will allow us to broaden our shareholder base in the United States by making WorldHeart shares available to institutional investors who presently might only invest in companies listed on a major stock market'. WorldHeart continues to be listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the ticker symbol 'WHT'.

About World Heart Corporation

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World Heart Corporation, a global medical device company based in Ottawa, Ontario and with facilities in Oakland, California, USA and Heesch, Netherlands is currently focused on the development and commercialization of pulsatile ventricular assist devices (VADs). Its Novacor(R) LVAS is well established in the VAD marketplace and provides both short-term and long-term support of patients with end-stage heart failure.

Any forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties, including without limitation, risks in product development and market acceptance of and demand for the Corporation's products, risks of downturns in economic conditions generally, and in the medical devices markets, risks associated with costs and delays posed by government regulation, limitations on third-party reimbursement, inability to protect proprietary technology, potential product liability and other risks detailed in the Corporation's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

For further information: Judith Dugan, World Heart Corporation, (613) 226-4278, www.worldheart.com

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