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Monday November 22, 9:17 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: PLC Systems Inc.
TMR Presentations at the American Heart Association Meeting Reinforce PLC Systems' Position in the Marketplace
FRANKLIN, Mass., Nov. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- PLC Systems Inc. (Amex: PLC - news) announced that there were 10 oral presentations and abstracts that discussed transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) with PLC's carbon dioxide (CO2) The Heart Laser(TM) System at the 72nd Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association (AHA) held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA on November 7-10, 1999.
Highlights from the TMR presentations at AHA included:
Dr. Robert March, assistant professor of surgery and director of cardiovascular research at Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, discussed TMR with PLC's CO2 The Heart Laser System in combination with Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG). The interim results suggest that, compared to CABG alone, TMR plus CABG may improve perioperative survival and long-term therapeutic success in high-risk patients.
Dr. Keith Horvath, assistant professor of surgery at Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois presented results from a multi- center trial. The researchers concluded that patients with severe angina have significantly improved outcomes following TMR with The Heart Laser System. Study results demonstrated that TMR with PLC's carbon dioxide laser safely and effectively increases cardiac perfusion (blood flow), improves quality of life and reduces angina class. These results were recently published in the September 30, 1999 edition of The New England Journal of Medicine.
Dr. John Spertus, assistant professor at The University of Missouri/Kansas City School of Medicine and director of cardiovascular education for The Mid- America Heart Institute/, Kansas City, Missouri discussed improvements in quality of life for patients undergoing TMR with The Heart Laser System. Dr. Spertus stated, ``This is the largest randomized trial of TMR reported to date. Very large improvements in symptom control, functional performance and quality of life were observed at one year among patients initially randomized to TMR. TMR holds promise as an alternative therapy for the relief of symptoms and the restoration of quality of life in patients with severe coronary artery disease.'
``The quality and quantity of the TMR presentations at the AHA is a strong reflection of the continuing adoption of TMR within the medical community,' stated Edward H. Pendergast, Chairman, President and CEO of PLC Systems. ``We are very pleased that researchers continue to demonstrate the clinical superiority of TMR with a synchronized carbon dioxide laser. PLC's The Heart Laser System is the only TMR laser that utilizes carbon dioxide as an energy source.'
PLC is a leader in the development of products for performing a new surgical procedure known as transmyocardial revascularization (TMR). TMR offers a new medical treatment option for patients who suffer from severe coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease, the leading cause of death in the United States and Europe, is expected to increase as the worldwide population continues to age.
Working with leading researchers and premier heart surgery centers around the world, PLC developed the world's first FDA-approved TMR device, a high- powered laser known as The Heart Laser System. Designed to perform TMR in the safest manner possible, The Heart Laser System was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in August of 1998 for treatment of the estimated 80,000 domestic patients each year who suffer from severe coronary artery disease but cannot be treated with conventional coronary revascularization techniques such as bypass surgery or angioplasty.
For more information on PLC and its products, please visit the Company's Web site at plcmed.com.
Note: Certain of the above statements are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including operational changes, competitive developments, regulatory approval requirements, the ability to convince health care professionals and third party payers of the medical and economic benefits of The Heart Laser System, no assurance that all payers will reimburse health care providers who perform TMR procedures or that reimbursement, if provided, will be adequate, and risk factors described in the Company's annual report, SEC form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, and the Company's other SEC reports.
SOURCE: PLC Systems Inc.
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