SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                               ------------------

                                    FORM 6-K

                        REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

                    Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                          For the month of: April 2003

                        Commission File Number: 000-28882

                             World Heart Corporation
                         -----------------------------
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

                                       N/A
                         -----------------------------
                 (Translation of registrant's name into English)

                                     Ontario
                         -----------------------------
                         (Jurisdiction of organization)

                     1 Laser Street, Ottawa, Ontario K2E 7V1
                    -----------------------------------------
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

                  Registrant's telephone number: (613) 226-4278



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

                     Form 20-F  X              Form 40-F
                               ---                        ---


Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this
Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

                       Yes                         No  X
                           ---                        ---

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________

<PAGE>
This Form 6-K consists of the following:

1.   World Heart Corporation Notice of Annual and Special Meeting of
     Shareholders dated April 4, 2003 as filed with Canadian securities
     authorities.

<PAGE>
                                     CIBC Mellon Trust Company [Graphic omitted]


April 4, 2003


<TABLE>
<S>                                                      <C>
Nova Scotia Securities Commission                        Securities Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador

Alberta Securities Commission                            Saskatchewan Securities Commission

The Manitoba Securities Commission                       New Brunswick Securities Commission

The Toronto Stock Exchange                               Ontario Securities Commission

British Columbia Securities Commission                   Prince Edward Island Securities Commission

Commission des valeurs Mobilieres du Quebec
</TABLE>

Dear Sirs:


RE:  WORLD HEART CORPORATION

Pursuant to a request from our Principal, we wish to advise you of the following
dates in connection with their Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders:

DATE OF MEETING:                                                June 16, 2003

RECORD DATE FOR NOTICE:                                         April 30, 2003

RECORD DATE FOR VOTING:                                         April 30, 2003

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP DETERMINATION DATE:                        April 30, 2003

SECURITIES ENTITLED TO NOTICE:                                  N/A

SECURITIES ENTITLED TO VOTE:                                    Common

ROUTINE BUSINESS ONLY:                                          NO

Yours very truly,
CIBC MELLON TRUST COMPANY

Jo-Anne Kidd
Senior Administrator, Client Services
Direct Dial: (416) 643-5578

cc:   CDS & Co.  (Via Fax)
cc:   jeff.wright@worldheart.com

pk\NM_WorldHeart
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                                        World Heart Corporation


Date: April 4, 2003                     By:      /s/  Ian Malone
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name:   Ian Malone
                                           Title:  Vice President Finance and
                                                   Chief Financial Officer