Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On February 5, 2013, Thoratec Corporation (the "Company") issued a press release announcing its fourth quarter ended December 29, 2012 results, the text of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including the exhibit, is furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 and shall not be deemed "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that Section. Furthermore, the information in the Current Report on Form 8-K, including the exhibit, shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the filings of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c) Exhibits

No. Exhibit
99.1 Press Release, dated February 5, 2013, regarding results for the fourth quarter ended December 29, 2012.