Addition of the Advanced, ACIST CVi Contrast Injection System onto the Novation Agreement Ushers in Greater Access to Innovative Medical Technology.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- ACIST Medical Systems (a Bracco Group Company), a world leading provider of innovative contrast delivery systems for diagnostic and therapeutic imaging in cardiology and radiology, and Novation LLC, the health care industry's leading contracting services company serving members of VHA Inc., the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) and Provista , today announced the inclusion of the ACIST CVi [R] contrast delivery system into the companies' previously established product purchasing agreement with E-Z-EM, Inc., acquired by ACIST Medical Systems in April 2008.

The addition of the ACIST CVi injection system to the array of ACIST Medical Systems products already carried by Novation, broadens the product offering into both cardiology and radiology creating greater opportunity for institutions to gain purchasing efficiencies from a single technology provider.

The ACIST CVi system is an advanced contrast injector that, in one device, provides a method of contrast injection for all cardiac and vascular angiography procedures. The ACIST CVi was developed with the distinct purpose of enabling the cardiologist to achieve even greater focus on the image and the patient - instead of on stopcocks, syringes, tubing, and equipment. This automated-monitoring, variable flow-rate injector has demonstrated procedural efficiency, cost savings, and reduction in contrast dosing to the patient, when compared to traditional hand-manifold and power injection methods.1-4

"The addition of the ACIST CVi contrast injection system onto the Novation agreement demonstrates our mutual goals of streamlining the process of getting state-of-the art, clinically beneficial, and cost effective technology into the hands of clinicians more quickly and efficiently. I believe that this is a great benefit to the hospital, their physicians and staff, and, most importantly, the patients they treat," explains Fulvio Renoldi-Bracco, Chairman and CEO of ACIST Medical Systems.

Novation's Edward G. Schrader Jr., senior director imaging contract and program services, notes their commitment to paving the way for access to medical technologies that have demonstrated efficiency, patient care, and cost benefits. He states, "Novation is pleased to add the ACIST CVi contrast delivery system to its portfolio of ACIST Medical Systems' products. This product represents an important advancement in contrast media delivery with the variable rate injection for cardiovascular angiography imaging, and is expected to provide greater precision and ease to our physicians while allowing quality imaging with less contrast used and delivered to the patient."

About ACIST

ACIST Medical Systems, a Bracco Group company, is a pioneer and market leader of Advanced Contrast Imaging System Technology in the fields of cardiology and radiology with a global clinical presence in over 40 countries. ACIST Medical Systems directly employs over 220 people worldwide, with the majority located at its corporate headquarters in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Two other regional offices in Europe and Asia further coordinate local sales and system activities.

About the Bracco Group

ACIST is part of the Bracco Group, founded in 1927 and today a worldwide integrated Healthcare Group, with annual turnover of more than 900 million Euro - around 60% of which is from foreign sales. Bracco is present in approx. 80 countries both directly and through joint-ventures or Affiliates, and currently employs more than 2,300 people worldwide, over 300 of which are dedicated to R&D, Medical and Regulatory Affairs.

Bracco S.p.A., the holding company of the Bracco Group, also markets Ethical and Over The Counter pharmaceutical products in Italy, and through Bracco Imaging, one of the world leading companies in the imaging agent business, develops, manufactures, and markets diagnostic imaging agents and solutions that meet medical needs and facilitate clinical solutions. Furthermore, the Bracco Group offers diagnosis services through the Milan-based Centro Diagnostico Italiano (Italian Diagnostic Center).

About Novation

Founded in 1998, Irving, Texas-based, Novation is the leading health care contracting services company, delivering unmatched savings and value to nearly 2,500 members of VHA Inc. and the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC), two national health care alliances and nearly 12,000 members of Provista, LLC. Through its competitive contracting process, Novation develops and manages contracts with more than 500 suppliers. Novation offers the most extensive range of advanced contracting services, including: contract development, contract and supplier management, custom contracting, enhanced savings programs, online contract management and analytical tools, order management and online supplier connectivity. VHA, UHC and Provista members used Novation contracts to purchase more than $33.1 billion in 2007.

References

* Traditional versus automated injection contrast system in diagnostic and percutaneous coronary interventional procedures: comparison of the contrast volume delivered. Anne G, Gruberg L, Huber A, Nikolsky E, et al. Journal of Invasive Cardiology 2004; 16:360-362.

* Saving time, saving money: A time and motion study with contrast management systems. Lehmann C, Hotaling M. Journal of Invasive Cardiology 2005 Feb; 17(2):118-121.

* The ACIST Power Injection System reduces the amount of contrast media delivered to the patient, as well as fluoroscopy time during diagnostic and interventional cardiac procedures. Brosh D, Assali A, Fuchs S, et al. International Journal of Cardiovascular Interventions 2005; 7(4):183-187.

* Automated contrast injection in contemporary practice during cardiac catheterization and PCI: Effects on contrast-induced nephropathy. Call J, Sacrinty M, Applegate R, et al. Journal of Invasive Cardiology 2006; 18(10):469-474.