CardiacAssist has tapped Kraig J. McEwen as its President and CEO, replacing long-time president Michael Garippa who has joined Tucson, Ariz.-based SynCardia Systems. The position became effective July 5.

Prior to joining the Pittsburgh-based company, McEwen served as senior vice president of Medrad and was part of the executive team at GE Healthcare.

CardiacAssist develops and manufactures the TandemHeart, a system that provides hemodynamic and circulatory support for cardiac patients.