Study Published in Cardiology Indicates Vasomedical's EECP Therapy Reduces Angina and Improves Quality of Life in Coronary Disease Patients With a History of Heart Failure Benefits Maintained At Six-Months Post-Treatment
WESTBURY, N.Y., Jan 9, 2002 (BW HealthWire) -- Vasomedical Inc. (Nasdaq: VASO)
announced today that the results of a study of 1,957 coronary artery disease
patients, including a cohort of 548 patients with a history of congestive heart
failure (CHF), enrolled in the International EECP Patient Registry (IEPR)
maintained by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, who
underwent EECP(R) enhanced external counterpulsation therapy were published in
the December 2001 issue of the peer-review journal Cardiology.
The manuscript, entitled "Benefit and Safety of Enhanced External
Counterpulsation in Treating Coronary Artery Disease Patients with a History of
Congestive Heart Failure," revealed that nearly 70% of patients, both with and
without a history of CHF, experienced an improvement in their functional angina
class with fewer anginal attacks and reported an improved quality of life. These
benefits were maintained during a six-month follow-up period. In addition, a
subgroup analysis of patients with a history of CHF and severe left ventricular
dysfunction (i.e., Ejection Fraction less than 35%) revealed that these patients
benefited similarly to those patients with less severe left ventricular
dysfunction after EECP treatment.
Commenting on the data, lead author William E. Lawson, MD, FACC, Professor of
Cardiology and Chief of the Invasive Laboratory at the State University of New
York at Stony Brook, said "My experience indicates that EECP can markedly
improve functionality and exertional symptoms while reducing the chances for
emergency room visits and hospitalizations in many patients suffering from
ischemic cardiomyopathy and low ejection fractions. These data are impressive
despite the fact that the patients with a history of CHF in this study were
older and had a longer and more severe history of coronary artery disease. As
expected in this severely ill group, the patients with a history of CHF did
experience a greater rate of major adverse cardiovascular events six-months post
treatment than the non-CHF group. However, given the improvements in the CHF
group in both functional class and in quality of life, it is possible that these
patients would have a lower rate of major adverse cardiovascular events compared
to the general population of CHF patients with similar severity of diseases.
Ongoing studies, including the randomized, multi-center PEECH(TM) (Prospective
Evaluation of EECP in Congestive Heart Failure) trial, will tell us just how
effective EECP will be as a disease management tool for heart failure patients."
CHF is a disabling condition affecting nearly 5 million Americans and is the
most frequent cause of hospitalization for those over 65 years of age. CHF
occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's demands
and therefore fails to empty its chambers sufficiently. When this occurs, blood
accumulates in the chest and lower limbs. There are approximately 550,000 new
cases of CHF reported each year. Once diagnosed, the average survival for CHF
patients is approximately 5 years. CHF is the single biggest drain on the
Medicare system today and remains the most expensive healthcare problem in the
U.S. and other developed countries. The cost to treat CHF patients in the U.S.
is estimated to be in excess of $50 billion annually.
Vasomedical, Inc. is primarily engaged in designing, manufacturing, marketing
and supporting external counterpulsation 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, 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(R) 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. |
