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Data From EECP Consortium Suggests Significantly Broader Use of Vasomedical's EECP Therapy in the Treatment of Angina
January 03, 2001 11:57:00 AM ET
Study suggests that safety and efficacy of EECP observed in university studies can be generalized across a more diverse patient population and a wider range of treatment settings
Vasomedical, Inc. VASO announced today that a study published in the journal General Cardiology suggests a significantly expanded role for EECP(R) therapy in the treatment of angina across a broader range of patients and treatment settings than had previously been reported. The study, entitled "Treatment Benefit in the Enhanced External Counterpulsation Consortium" by lead author William Lawson, MD, looked at a cohort of 2,289 patients, the largest number of EECP patients ever reported on in the medical literature. This is also the first published study to discuss a much wider potential use of EECP therapy. Data from this study revealed that EECP was effective for a broad range of patient types and across a wide spectrum of providers and treatment settings. Until now, published research studies have focused on selected patient groups in carefully controlled university settings. Patients analyzed in this most recent study included significant numbers of women and the elderly, groups that have been underrepresented in most clinical trials for medical devices in the cardiac field.
There are currently over 6 million people in the United States who suffer from chronic angina or chest pain. Angina is caused by obstruction of the arteries that supply blood to the heart's muscle. Among the patients who underwent EECP therapy in this study, 74% experienced a reduction in angina by at least one functional class, as measured by the Canadian Cardiovascular Society's four-class scale, an accepted standard for measuring the severity of angina. Almost 40% of the patients in the study experienced a two-class reduction. The patients analyzed in this study were treated at 84 centers, ranging from solo practitioners to large multidisciplinary groups, and university hospitals. The effectiveness of EECP in reducing angina was consistent across all providers, levels of experience, and treatment locations suggesting that the EECP system is user friendly and that broader use of EECP in treating patients with angina may be appropriate.
According to study author William Lawson, MD, Director of Cardiology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, "The available data from previous academic studies support the use of EECP as an effective treatment for chronic angina patients, including those resistant to medical therapy or standard revascularization (angioplasty or bypass surgery). The consortium data showed decreases in anginal episodes and nitroglycerin use complemented by improvement on stress tests, quality of life follow-ups, and improvement in patients' angina classification across different providers and treatment locations." Lawson added, "This data suggests that more widespread availability of EECP as a treatment alternative could prove beneficial."
EECP is a non-invasive outpatient therapy that utilizes pneumatic cuffs to compress the lower extremities in time with a patient's heartbeat. The therapy reduces angina symptoms by decreasing the heart's workload and improving circulation in areas of the heart deprived of adequate blood supply. Previously reported studies have shown that most patients receive sustained relief from angina up to 12 months following the completion of EECP treatment.
Commenting on the study by Lawson et al., Douglas A. Goldman, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at Vasomedical stated, "This data is very exciting because it points to a much wider market opportunity for EECP therapy. Until now, the treatment of chronic angina has frequently involved expensive and invasive procedures such as balloon angioplasty and bypass surgery. In addition to the fact that these procedures are accompanied by an increased risk of side-effects and death, restenosis of the affected vessels remains a significant problem. Also, studies have shown, particularly with angioplasty, that clinical outcomes are directly related to the number of procedures a hospital performs and the experience of its physicians. The data presented in this most recent study suggests that EECP technology is easy to use and that outcomes are not dependent on the type of treatment center or the level of experience at that center."
Vasomedical, Inc. is primarily engaged in designing, manufacturing, marketing, and supporting external counter pulsation systems based on the Company's proprietary technology currently indicated for use in cases of angina, cardiogenic shock and acute myocardial infarction. EECP(R) is a registered trademark for Vasomedical's enhanced external counterpulsation system. This system is now in use at major medical centers, including the Beth Israel Medical Center - New York City, Christ Hospital and Medical Center, the Cleveland Clinic, Texas Heart Institute, Johns Hopkins, JFK Medical Center-Atlantis, FL, University Hospital at UMDNJ/New Jersey Medical School, Kaiser Permanente of Denver, the Mayo Clinic, the Miami Heart Institute, and the Ochsner Foundation Hospital, as well as medical centers affiliated with Columbia University, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of California at San Diego, the University of California at San Francisco, University of Florida at Gainesville, State University of New York at Stony Brook, and the University of Virginia. The Company provides hospitals, clinics, and private practices with EECP equipment, treatment guidance, and a staff training and maintenance program designed to provide optimal patient outcomes. Additional information is available on the Company's website at www.vasomedical.com. |
