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: September 2004

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

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.   Press release of World Heart Corporation (the "Company"), dated September
     10, 2004, announcing that the Company has definitive agreements for the
     sale of unsecured convertible debentures and warrants for gross proceeds of
     US$13,318,750 through a private placement transaction, which the Company
     plans to complete following receipt of regulatory approval.

The information contained in this Report is incorporated by reference into
Registration Statement No. 333-109876 on Form F-3 and Registration Statement No.
333-111512 on Form F-3.

<PAGE>


News & Events

Press Releases

WorldHeart Announces US$13.3 Financing


Ottawa, ON - September 10, 2004: (NASDAQ: WHRT, TSX: WHT) - World Heart
Corporation ("WorldHeart" or the "Company") today announced that it has
definitive agreements for the sale of unsecured convertible debentures and
warrants for gross proceeds of US$13,318,750 through a private placement. The
Company expects to complete the transaction following receipt of regulatory
approval, which is expected in the near future.

The debentures bear interest at a rate of 3% per annum and, at the option of the
holder are convertible into common shares of the Company at a price of US$1.25
per share. One warrant to purchase a common share of the Company will be issued
for each common share underlying the debentures. Each warrant has an exercise
price of US$1.55 per share.

WorldHeart will provide additional details and information on the transaction
subsequent to its close.

About World Heart Corporation:
World Heart Corporation is a global medical device company headquartered in
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, with additional facilities in Oakland, California, USA
and Heesch, Netherlands. WorldHeart is currently focused on the development and
commercialization of pulsatile ventricular assist devices. Its Novacor LVAS is
well established in the marketplace and its next-generation system is a
miniaturized implantable assist device building on the proven Novacor
technology.

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.

Contact Information:
World Heart Corporation
Judith Dugan
(613) 226-4278
www.worldheart.com

<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: September 14, 2004            By:  /s/ Mark Goudie
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Name:  Mark Goudie
                                            Title: Chief Financial Officer