Wednesday November 29, 12:37 pm Eastern Time
Press Release
New Study Suggests Future Use of Vasomedical's EECP Therapy for
Stabilizing Heart Attack Patients
EECP May Provide a Noninvasive Alternative to Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping for Stabilizing Patients Following an Acute
Myocardial Infarction
WESTBURY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 29, 2000-- Vasomedical, Inc. (Nasdaq: VASO - news) announced today that a Japanese study published in the
most recent issue of the American Journal of Cardiology showed that the effects of EECP® enhanced external counterpulsation on blood flow in patients who have
suffered a heart attack were similar to those seen with intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) therapy.
IABP involves the use of a catheter inserted through the groin into the large blood vessel emerging from the heart. There are an estimated 150,000 intra-aortic
balloons sold worldwide each year for the purpose of supporting the heart and stabilizing patients who have experienced a heart attack or who are undergoing
surgery. This study suggests that EECP could play an expanded role in the treatment of such patients by providing a noninvasive alternative to IABP for stabilizing
patients who have suffered a heart attack. Although the authors state that further studies will be required to more fully validate EECP for this use, external
counterpulsation was originally developed for the support of cardiac function and current FDA-cleared labeling permits its use for this purpose.
The study, entitled ``Comparison of Hemodynamic Effects of Enhanced External Counterpulsation and Intra-aortic Balloon Pumping in Patients with Acute
Myocardial Infarction'' by lead author Isao Taguchi, MD of the Dokkyo University School of Medicine in Tochigi, Japan looked at a group of 39 patients who had
experienced an acute myocardial infarction or heart attack and subsequently underwent balloon angioplasty. Following angioplasty, a subset of the patients received
IABP therapy and another group received EECP treatment. According to the study, the hemodynamics effects of EECP were similar to those of IABP, but with the
added potential benefit of increasing cardiac output.
Commenting on the study, Tony Chou, MD, interventional cardiologist and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of California at San Francisco stated,
``Until now, EECP has been used to treat patients with chronic stable angina. The results of this study suggest that EECP could, in the years ahead, play a significant
role in the treatment of patients having a heart attack. This noninvasive technology could be useful in the setting of the ambulance, emergency room or coronary care
unit where heart attack patients are first seen, many of whom require stabilization prior to further interventions such as balloon angioplasty, stent implantation or
coronary bypass surgery.''
Douglas A. Goldman, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for Vasomedical noted, ``This study builds on earlier research conducted in the U.S.
showing that EECP augments diastolic arterial blood flow in a manner similar to IABP. Use of EECP therapy to stabilize patients who have had a heart attack would
significantly broaden Vasomedical's presence in the hospital setting.''
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® 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, JFK Medical Center-Atlantis, FL, University Hospital at UMDNJ/New Jersey Medical School, Kaiser
Permanente of Denver, the Mayo Clinic, the Miami Heart Institute and the Ochsner Foundation Hospital, as well as medical centers affiliated with Columbia
University, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of California at San Diego, the University of California at San Francisco, University of Florida at Gainesville,
State University of New York at Stony Brook 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.
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.
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