"Friday September 7, 12:27 pm Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: Vasomedical, Inc.
Vasomedical's EECP Therapy Effective for Octogenarians
Data presented at the XXIII Scientific Sessions of the European Society of Cardiology show EECP is effective and lasting for patients 80 years and older
WESTBURY, NY--(BW HealthWire)--September 7, 2001-- Vasomedical, Inc. (Nasdaq: VASO - news) announced today that a study presented this week during the 23rd Scientific Sessions of the European Society of Cardiology in Stockholm, Sweden, concluded that EECP® enhanced external counterpulsation is as effective in reducing angina in patients who are eighty years of age or older as it is for those who are younger.
Octogenarians undergoing cardiac bypass surgery or percutaneous coronary interventions, such as angioplasty and stenting, have higher in-hospital mortality and morbidity than younger patients.
The study, entitled Enhanced external counterpulsation for the treatment of angina in the elderly: safety, response and durability of benefit and presented by Georgiann Linnemeier, MD, Medical Director of HeartGen Centers in Indianapolis, looked at 3,037 patients consecutively enrolled in the International EECP® Patient Registry maintained by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health's Department of Epidemiology. The study compared the outcomes of 249 patients eighty years of age or older to 2,788 patients under the age of eighty. Results of the analysis showed that 76% of patients over eighty and 82% of patients younger than eighty reported a reduction in angina by one or more classes immediately following a full course of EECP treatment and that this benefit was maintained in over eighty percent of these patients at six months post-treatment. A majority of patients in both groups also reported an improvement in their quality of life.
Reacting to the study, James A. Pantano, MD, Medical Director of the Heart Care Group in Allentown, PA stated, ``The risks associated with bypass surgery and angioplasty increase as patients reach eighty and beyond. These risks are even greater for those patients with comorbidities such as diabetes. According to what's been reported in the literature, mortality rates for octogenarians undergoing these procedures can be double what they are for those under eighty. This study is exciting because it supports the outcomes seen in my own practice, that octogenarians do very well with EECP. In fact, we've treated patients into their nineties with excellent results. EECP is an effective, noninvasive, low risk option for many patients with coronary artery disease, but older patients, in particular, should seriously consider EECP given the risk/benefit ratio for bypass.''
Also commenting on the study, Thomas Varricchione, Vice President of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs for Vasomedical said, ``The mean age of the U.S. population is increasing rapidly. It's estimated that by 2005, 30% of the population will be over sixty-five and the fastest growing segment is those 80 and over. EECP has proven to be a very robust therapy, one that is effective across a wide range of patient ages and characteristics, as the evidence presented this week attests. We expect this and other studies showing the therapy's effectiveness will accelerate the pace of widespread adoption of EECP use both here and abroad.''
Another study presented this past week in Stockholm concluded that one of the means by which EECP reduces angina in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) may be through the modification and reduction of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) activity. The renin-angiotensin system helps the body maintain a stable blood pressure, particularly when blood volume is diminished, such as after vomiting, diarrhea or vigorous exercise. In some individuals, including those with CAD, this system becomes overactive resulting in high blood pressure, which causes damage to blood vessels. Such hypertension can lead to strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and kidney failure.
The study, entitled Beneficial effects of EECP on the renin-angiotensin system in patients with coronary artery disease, revealed that EECP produces significant progressive reduction of RAS activation and concluded that this might be a potential mechanism by which EECP produces benefit in patients with CAD. Another study investigating modes of action for EECP was recently published in the European Heart Journal, relating therapeutic benefit to the increased production of nitric oxide, a vasodilator, and decreased neurohumoral factors.
EECP is a noninvasive, outpatient therapy for the treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system. The therapy serves to increase circulation in areas of the heart with less than adequate blood supply and may restore systemic vascular function. EECP is currently indicated for use in patients with stable or unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock. The Company is actively engaged in research to determine potential benefits of EECP therapy in the management of other major vascular disease states, including congestive heart failure and diabetes.
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® 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, Johns Hopkins, JFK Medical Center-Atlantis, FL, Mayo Clinic, the Miami Heart Institute, the Ochsner Foundation Hospital, the Texas Heart Institute, and University Hospital at UMDNJ/New Jersey Medical School as well as medical centers affiliated with Columbia University, State University of New York at Stony Brook, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of California at San Diego, the University of California at San Francisco, University of Florida at Gainesville, 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.
-0-
Except for historical information contained in this release, the matters discussed are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. When used in this release, words such as ``anticipate,'' ``believe,'' ``estimate,'' ``expect''' and ``intend'' and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of the Company's management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company's management. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: the effect of business and economic conditions; the impact of competitive products and pricing; capacity and supply constraints or difficulties; product development, commercialization or technological difficulties; the regulatory and trade environment; and the risk factors reported from time to time in the Company's SEC reports. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise any forward-looking statements as a result of future events or developments.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact:
Vasomedical, Inc., Westbury
D. Michael Deignan, 516/997-4600 Ext. 155
or
Vasomedical, Inc., Westbury
Douglas A. Goldman, 516/997-4600 Ext. 163
or
Vasomedical, Inc., Westbury
Investor Relations, 516/997-4600 Ext. 790
investorrelations@vasomedical.com
www.vasomedical.com"
biz.yahoo.com |
