Second Heart Adds Octane CEO Bill Carpou to Board of Directors

Second Heart Assist, developer of the Whisper percutaneous support platform, has appointed Bill Carpou to its Board of Directors as the company builds momentum around its cardio-renal technology. Carpou currently serves as CEO of Octane, a leading MedTech growth platform, and previously held a senior role at Blackstone.

Second Heart’s Whisper platform is designed to unload the heart while improving kidney perfusion with minimal hemolysis, aligning with the American Heart Association’s call for integrated cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic care. CEO Jeff Donofrio said Carpou’s appointment signals the company’s readiness to scale. “Bill understands how to prepare companies for public markets and create lasting value,” Donofrio said.

Based in Orange County, CA—one of the largest U.S. MedTech hubs—Carpou has played a prominent role in shaping the region’s innovation ecosystem. He also founded Visionary Ventures, one of the most active healthcare venture funds.

Carpou said the company is at an inflection point. “Second Heart already has technology ahead of the curve,” he noted. “What excites me is the vision to combine that with strong governance and leadership to win in the market.”

The appointment marks a step in Second Heart’s broader recruitment strategy, with additional board and clinical leaders expected to be announced soon.