Positive PEECH Trial Results and Related Article Highlighting Mechanism of Action Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology
WESTBURY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)---- EECP Therapy Benefits Patients with Mild-to-Moderate Heart Failure; is Most Effective for Treating Ischemic Heart Failure Patients
Vasomedical, Inc. (OTCBB: VASO.OB), a leader in the non-invasive treatment and management of cardiovascular diseases, announced today publication of the results of the PEECH trial (Prospective Evaluation of EECP in Congestive Heart Failure) in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The report, entitled "Enhanced External Counterpulsation Improves Exercise Tolerance in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure," was published online on August 25th and will appear in the September 19th issue in print.
Results of the trial demonstrated that EECP(R) therapy improves exercise capacity, relieves symptoms and improves quality of life for heart failure patients already receiving optimal medical therapy. Additional analysis presented in the report showed that patients with ischemic heart failure, i.e. caused by underlying atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, achieved greater benefit than those with non-ischemic heart failure.
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Arthur Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chairman of the Department of Medicine, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, and principal investigator for the PEECH trial noted, "Results of the PEECH trial, specifically the greater benefit observed in ischemic heart failure patients, are consistent with prior studies of EECP in patients with ischemic heart disease, including a randomized trial in angina, several case-series controlled studies, and a large patient registry. In stable, well-managed heart failure patients who remain symptomatic despite receiving guideline-recommended therapy, EECP can help by relieving symptoms, increasing activity levels and improving quality of life in this difficult-to-treat disease."
In a related article published simultaneously, researchers at the University of Florida College of Medicine reported that EECP therapy reduced arterial stiffness and decreased wasted cardiac energy in patients with long-standing coronary artery disease and ischemia. The report, entitled "Enhanced External Counterpulsation Treatment Improves Arterial Wall Properties and Wave Reflection Characteristics in Patients With Refractory Angina," illustrates important favorable effects EECP therapy achieves on blood vessels outside of the heart and reveals one of the mechanisms by which both angina and ischemic heart failure patients obtain benefit.
Thomas Glover, president and chief executive officer of Vasomedical stated, "The results of the PEECH trial are quite impressive. The data for the subset of patients with ischemic heart failure compares very favorably with other widely accepted invasive treatments such as resynchronization therapy, with considerably less risk and cost. We believe primary care physicians and cardiologists treating heart failure patients should strongly consider EECP therapy as an adjunct to other medically indicated therapies for heart failure. It should be a treatment option offered to every stable ischemic heart failure patient."
"PEECH adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of EECP therapy in patients with ischemic heart disease, e.g. angina and ischemic heart failure. Also, the significant findings by researchers at the University of Florida continue to illustrate the powerful physiologic effects of the therapy. In our view, EECP therapy has a very favorable benefit-to-risk ratio, is safe, noninvasive, and low-cost," added Thomas Glover.
About EECP(R) Therapy
EECP external counterpulsation therapy is typically given in 35 one-hour sessions over seven weeks. Patients recline on a contoured treatment table and their calves, lower thighs and upper thighs are wrapped in a pneumatic cuff set. The system, which is synchronized to the individual patient's cardiac cycle, inflates the cuffs with air to create external pressure when the heart is resting and deflates the cuffs just before the next heartbeat. The system's action, which pulses counter to the heart's beating, increases blood flow to the heart muscle and other organs and decreases the heart's workload, creating a greater oxygen supply for the heart muscle while lowering its need for oxygen.
About Vasomedical, Inc.
Vasomedical, Inc. is primarily engaged in designing, manufacturing, marketing and supporting EECP external counterpulsation systems based on the Company's unique proprietary technology. EECP therapy is a noninvasive, outpatient therapy for the treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system currently indicated for use in cases of stable or unstable angina, congestive heart failure, acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock. The therapy serves to increase circulation in areas of the heart with less than adequate blood supply and may restore systemic vascular function. The Company provides hospitals, clinics and private practices with EECP equipment, treatment guidance and a staff training and equipment maintenance program designed to provide optimal patient outcomes. Additional information is available on the Company's website at www.vasomedical.com. EECP is a registered trademark for Vasomedical's enhanced external counterpulsation systems.
Except for historical information contained in this release, the matters discussed are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. When used in this report, words such as "anticipated," "believes," "could," "estimates," "expects," "may," "plans," "potential" and "intends" 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 the dramatic changes taking place in the healthcare environment; the impact of competitive procedures and products and their pricing; medical insurance reimbursement policies; unexpected manufacturing or supplier problems; unforeseen difficulties and delays in product development programs; the actions of regulatory authorities and third-party payers in the United States and overseas; uncertainties about the acceptance of a novel therapeutic modality by the medical community; and the risk factors reported from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements as a result of future events or developments.
Vasomedical, Inc. Thomas Glover/Thomas Fry, 516-997-4600 or Investor Relations: 516-997-4600 ext. 790 investorrelations@vasomedical.com
08/29/2006 15:09
