To: Bucky Katt who wrote (2015 ) 3/7/2000 11:27:00 AM From: nikko Respond to of 48461
From Rande Is thread: To: Rande Is who wrote (21820) From: Rande Is Tuesday, March 7, 2000 11:01 AM ET Reply # of 21827 PLC Systems' Announces Live TMR Cardiac Surgery Webcast On March 8 Internet Provides Broad Forum for Educating Surgeons and Patients FRANKLIN, Mass., March 7 /PRNewswire/ -- PLC Systems Inc. (Amex: PLC - news), the leader in carbon dioxide (CO2) transmyocardial revascularization (TMR), announced that Dr. Keith Horvath from the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Northwestern University will perform a TMR procedure at the Providence Heart Center in Seattle, WA. On March 8, 2000 at 10:30 EST, patients and physicians worldwide can view the live TMR procedure via the Internet at www.thevirtualor.com or through www.plcmed.com. Dr. Horvath, a pioneer in TMR, will be assisted by Dr. Robert Lazzara, director of minimally invasive surgery at Providence Heart Center. The procedure will be moderated by Dr. Kim Jett, chief of cardiovascular surgery at Providence. Dr. Horvath stated, ``TMR with PLC's carbon dioxide laser allows the blood to go directly into the heart muscle and stimulate new vessel growth, which reduces angina and improves the patients' quality of life. Discussing the webcast, Dr. Lazzara said, 'Using the Internet enables us to communicate in real time with other physicians and educate the general public on advances in heart surgery anywhere in the world, at any time.`` PLC Systems' President and CEO Mark Tauscher stated, ``We are very pleased to support this project with The Virtual OR, The Providence Heart Center and Dr. Horvath. In a collaborative effort with our premier heart centers, we are pursuing physician training and patient education programs using all media available. The Internet is a cutting-edge tool that supports our vision of a patient focused company. It is our mission to drive programs that educate the cardiac community of the significant benefits of CO2 TMR using PLC's Heart Laser(TM) System.' Since 1990, PLC's CO2 TMR technology has helped more than 5,500 patients. PLC is the leader in the development of products for performing CO2 TMR. TMR offers a 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 www.bloodlinelaser.com or www.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.