News Release

For Immediate Release

                APPROVALS FOR MEDQUEST ACQUISITION AND MAVERICK
                   PRIVATE PLACEMENT AT WORLDHEART ANNUAL AND
                          SPECIAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING

Oakland, CA, USA - July 19, 2005: (NASDAQ: WHRT, TSX: WHT) - World Heart
Corporation ("WorldHeart" or the "Company") held its annual and special meeting
of shareholders on Monday, July 18, 2005. At the meeting, the shareholders
approved the issuance of common shares of the Company to MedQuest Products, Inc.
("MedQuest") in connection with the acquisition by WorldHeart of the business of
MedQuest, and the private placement of common shares of the company to Maverick
Venture Management, LLC ("Maverick"). In addition, the shareholders approved the
reduction of the exercise price of the warrants issued by WorldHeart in
September 2004 from US$1.55 per share to US$1.00 per share for a period of 14
days following the approval of the resolution.

"We are pleased that the shareholders have approved these important steps in
this strategic acquisition" commented Jal S. Jassawalla, President and Chief
Executive Officer of WorldHeart. "This transaction provides WorldHeart with a
product platform that allows the Company to address the needs of both late and
end-stage heart failure patients."

The shareholders also approved certain matters related to the Company's Stock
Option Plan as well as the continuance of the Company under the Canada Business
Corporations Act.

About World Heart Corporation:
World Heart Corporation is a global medical device company headquartered in
Oakland, California, USA with an additional facility in Heesch, Netherlands.
WorldHeart's registered office is Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Forward-Looking Statements
--------------------------

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 Company's products, risks associated
with costs and delays posed by government regulation, limitations on third-party
reimbursement, inability to protect proprietary technology, potential product
liability, delays in the completion of or an unsuccessful

                                   WORLDHEART
                              Technology for Life
         WORLD HEART CORPORATION o 7799 PARDEE LANE, OAKLAND, CA 94621
                  PHONE: (510) 563-5000 o FAX: (510) 563-5004
                               www.worldheart.com
<PAGE>

result in the RELIANT Trial and other risks detailed in the Company's filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its recently filed Proxy
Statement and Amended Annual Report on Form 10-KSB/A for year ended 2004.

                                      -30-

Contact Information:
World Heart Corporation
Mr. Richard Juelis (510) 563-4713
Ms. Peggy Allman (510) 563-4721
www.worldheart.com
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                                   WORLDHEART
                              Technology for Life
         WORLD HEART CORPORATION o 7799 PARDEE LANE, OAKLAND, CA 94621
                  PHONE: (510) 563-5000 o FAX: (510) 563-5004
                               www.worldheart.com