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<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">UNITED STATES</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>FORM 8-K</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>CURRENT REPORT</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event
reported) March 29, 2012</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;<B>WORLD HEART CORPORATION</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>(Exact name of registrant as specified
in charter)</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE ALIGN="CENTER" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="width: 32%; vertical-align: top; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center">Delaware</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 1%; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 32%; vertical-align: top; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center">000-28882</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 1%; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 32%; vertical-align: top; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center">52-2247240</TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>(State or other jurisdiction of </B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>incorporation)</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>(Commission</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>File Number)</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>(IRS Employer</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Identification No.)</B></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

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    <TD STYLE="width: 42%; vertical-align: top; font-weight: bold; text-align: center">4750 Wiley Post Way, Suite 120, Salt Lake City, Utah</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 2%; vertical-align: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 9%; vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 2%; vertical-align: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 42%; vertical-align: top; font-weight: bold; text-align: center">84116</TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; font-weight: bold; text-align: center">(Address of principal executive offices)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; font-weight: bold; text-align: center">(Zip Code)</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>(801) 355-6255</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Registrant&rsquo;s telephone number,
including area code </B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Not Applicable</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>(Former name or former address, if changed
since last report)</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B></B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended
to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction
A.2. below):</P>

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<TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the
Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</TD>
</TR></TABLE>

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<TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</TD>
</TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: justify">
<TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b)
under Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</TD>
</TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: justify">
<TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c)
under Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</TD>
</TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">On March 29,
2012, World Heart Corporation (the &ldquo;Company&rdquo;) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, or Merger
Agreement, with Heartware International Inc., or Heartware, which sets forth the terms and conditions of the proposed merger of
WorldHeart and Heartware.&nbsp; Under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Heartware will
either issue, and stockholders of WorldHeart will receive, shares of Heartware common stock or cash, at Heartware&rsquo;s election,
that will approximate $8.0 million at closing. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, WorldHeart will merge with and become a subsidiary
of Heartware. The Company currently plans to complete the proposed merger during the second quarter of 2012.&nbsp; However, the
Company can neither assure you that the merger will be completed nor can it predict the exact timing of the completion of the merger
because it is subject to governmental and regulatory review processes and other conditions, many of which are beyond the Company&rsquo;s
control.&nbsp;The merger is intended to qualify as a tax-free reorganization under the provisions of Section&nbsp;368(a) of the
US Tax Code. The merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by our stockholders.</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>Item 9.01.</B><FONT STYLE="color: black">&nbsp;</FONT><B>Financial
Statements and Exhibits.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;(d)&#9;Exhibits.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 11%; padding-right: 0.7pt">Exhibit <BR>
99.1</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 2%; padding-right: 0.7pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 87%; padding-right: 0.7pt">&nbsp; <BR>
Press Release dated March 29, 2012 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>SIGNATURE</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">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, hereunto duly authorized.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 45%; padding: 0; text-indent: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Date:&nbsp; March 29, 2012</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 8%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 47%; padding: 0; text-indent: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-indent: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-indent: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-indent: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-indent: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">WORLD HEART CORPORATION</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-indent: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-indent: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-indent: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">By:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; text-indent: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">/s/ Morgan R. Brown</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-indent: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Name:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-indent: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Morgan R. Brown</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-indent: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Title:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-indent: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
    Officer</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "WORLD HEART CORP", "cik": "0001024520", "assigned-sic": "3845", "irs-number": "000000000", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-28882", "film-number": "12725552"}, "business-address": {"street1": "4750 WILEY POST WAY", "street2": "SUITE 120", "city": "SALT LAKE CITY", "state": "UT", "zip": "84116", "phone": "801-355-6255"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "4750 WILEY POST WAY", "street2": "SUITE 120", "city": "SALT LAKE CITY", "state": "UT", "zip": "84116"}}
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event
reported) March 29, 2012
WORLD HEART CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified
in charter)
Delaware
000-28882
52-2247240
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
4750 Wiley Post Way, Suite 120, Salt Lake City, Utah
84116
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(801) 355-6255
Registrant's telephone number,
including area code
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed
since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended
to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction
A.2. below):
¨
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the
Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b)
under Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c)
under Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On March 29,
2012, World Heart Corporation (the "Company") entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, or Merger
Agreement, with Heartware International Inc., or Heartware, which sets forth the terms and conditions of the proposed merger of
WorldHeart and Heartware.  Under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Heartware will
either issue, and stockholders of WorldHeart will receive, shares of Heartware common stock or cash, at Heartware's election,
that will approximate $8.0 million at closing. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, WorldHeart will merge with and become a subsidiary
of Heartware. The Company currently plans to complete the proposed merger during the second quarter of 2012.  However, the
Company can neither assure you that the merger will be completed nor can it predict the exact timing of the completion of the merger
because it is subject to governmental and regulatory review processes and other conditions, many of which are beyond the Company's
control. The merger is intended to qualify as a tax-free reorganization under the provisions of Section 368(a) of the
US Tax Code. The merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by our stockholders.
Item 9.01.
Financial
Statements and Exhibits.
(d)	Exhibits.
Exhibit
99.1
Press Release dated March 29, 2012
SIGNATURE
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, hereunto duly authorized.
Date:  March 29, 2012
WORLD HEART CORPORATION
By:
/s/ Morgan R. Brown
Name:
Morgan R. Brown
Title:
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
    Officer