Researchers unveil new non-invasive 3-d studies of coronary arteries
provided
Mar 20, 1997 9:07 AM [PRNewswire]
By Imatron's Ultrafast CT(R) Scanner
Findings Detailed in Three Ultrafast CT(R) Related Presentations at 46th
Annual Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology
SO. SAN FRANCISCO, March 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Imatron Inc. (Nasdaq:
IMAT) today announced that in three major presentations on Ultrafast CT(R)
and Coronary Artery Scanning at the 46th Annual Scientific Sessions of the
American College of Cardiology, dramatic new images were shown of
blockages in the major coronary arteries. These images were obtained
without having to resort to the expensive and invasive angiographic
techniques commonly in use today.
Dr. Matthew Budoff and colleagues from the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center presented their research to the
audience in Anaheim, California, and concluded that "intravenous Ultrafast CT(R) angiography is a safe and
non-invasive technique with great potential impact for the diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease."
Ten presentations dealing with Imatron's Electron Beam Computed Tomography (EBCT) were featured at the
three-day session. Other significant findings include a study conducted by Dr. Stephan Achenbach of the
University of Erlangen, Germany, whose research group demonstrated the usefulness of Ultrafast CT(R) in
assessing the coronary arteries of patients who had suffered a myocardial infarction, or heart attack. Dr. Stefan
Mohlenkamp of the University of Essen presented a new Ultrafast CT(R) protocol for evaluating cardiac stent
function. This assessment is often impossible when using other diagnostic techniques such as coronary
angiography or fluoroscopy.
According to Dr. Bruce Brundage, Chief of Cardiology at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, "Experts in this field
have now agreed to issue a set of physician guidelines for interpretation of coronary calcium scores and
treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) based upon eight years of compiled data. Studies are now
underway to measure the effectiveness of this early detection by Ultrafast CT(R) and treatment using diet,
exercise and drugs to modify risk factors. These studies will demonstrate just how many heart attacks and
coronary deaths may be prevented through early diagnosis and cost effective intervention."
Dr. Alan Wasserman, Chairman of the Division of Cardiology at George Washington University Medical
Center, Washington, D.C., commented, "Based on the exciting new data presented, our interest in the
application of Ultrafast CT(R) at the George Washington University Medical Center and HeartScan-
Washington D.C. now goes well beyond the early detection of heart disease by measuring coronary
calcification -- our principal current application of the Ultrafast CT(R) Scanner. We are now looking at the
potential for this tool to non-invasively provide much of the information needed in heart disease patients,
which currently requires coronary angiography."
Following a panel discussion entitled, "Coronary Calcification: Clinical Relevance and Approach," Dr. John
Rumberger, MD, Ph.D., Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic added, "The detection of coronary
calcification by Ultrafast CT(R) goes well beyond population-based risk factor evaluation and allows a
physician to individualize the likelihood of developing coronary artery disease in his or her specific patients."
S. Lewis Meyer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Imatron, stated, "The overwhelming evidence of the
effectiveness of Coronary Artery Scanning by Ultrafast CT(R) from multiple research groups in both the United
States and Europe is clearly facilitating the widespread adoption of Imatron's EBCT technology within the
cardiology community. We have been pleased with the record numbers of highly interested cardiologists
attending our exhibit this week, and the number of presentations dealing with EBCT. I believe that this type of
reception can only lead to increased sales of our scanner. As we continue to work on our sales and marketing
program, I look forward to continued clinical validation of our Ultrafast CT(R)."
Imatron Inc. is primarily engaged in designing, manufacturing and marketing high performance computed
tomography (CT) scanners based on the Company's proprietary scanning electron beam technology. Ultrafast
CT(R) is a registered trademark of Imatron. Imatron's Ultrafast CT(R) scanner is now in use at major medical
centers around the world, including The Mayo Clinic, University of Iowa, National Institutes of Health, UCLA,
University of Illinois, The Royal Brompton Hospital in London, Tokyo University Hospital, Beijing Hospital, as
well as many other major hospital centers. Imatron's Ultrafast CT(R) distributed in the United States, Canada,
Europe, and India by Siemens Medical Systems. Imatron's HeartScan Imaging Inc. subsidiary provides
Coronary Artery Disease Risk Assessment diagnostic services in a nationwide network of Company-owned
clinics.
Statements made in this news release that state the Company's or management's intentions, hopes, beliefs,
expectations or predictions for the future are forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties. It
is important to note that the Company's actual results could differ materially from those projected in such
forward-looking statements. In addition to the factors set forth in the Company's 1995 Form 10-K other
important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, projected
financial results and industry-wide market factors.
SOURCE Imatron
-0- 03/20/97 /CONTACT: S. Lewis Meyer, President/CEO, Gary Brooks, VP Finance/CFO, or Lisa Kimberlin,
Investor Relations, all of Imatron, 415-583-9964; or Jody Martin of Sitrick And Company, 310-788-2850/
(IMAT)
CO: Imatron Inc. ST: California IN: MTC SU: PDT |
