Bakri Postpartum Balloon Globally Acknowledged for Treatment of Postpartum Bleeding.

The World's Primary Cause of Maternal Death During Childbirth

SPENCER, Ind. -- Cook Women's Health, a division of Cook Medical, the world's largest privately held medical device company today announced that the Bakri Postpartum Balloon has been recognized in publications issued by the world's two largest medical associations devoted to the practice of obstetrics and gynecology.

In October, the ACOG Practice Bulletin, published by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, made mention of the Bakri Postpartum Balloon for its specifically tailored design that enables conservative management of uterine bleeding in cases of uterine atony and other causes of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). The bulletin also referenced the Bakri Postpartum Balloon in detailing the clinical instances when uterine tamponade is the desired treatment method for PPH.

In a similar statement issued in the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) along with the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) cited the use of the Bakri Postpartum Balloon to illustrate the importance of using balloon tamponade as a primary support tool to treat postpartum hemorrhage.

Hemorrhage following the birth of a child occurs in four to six percent of all deliveries and uterine atony accounts for 80 percent of cases of postpartum hemorrhage.1 The Bakri Postpartum Balloon is no longer contraindicated in instances of uterine atony. Postpartum hemorrhage represents a principal cause of childbirth-related maternal mortality in both developed and developing countries. Although various management measures are available to treat the hemorrhage, many of these options may still lead to hysterectomy or a separate surgical procedure.

Global awareness and use of the Bakri Postpartum Device grew steadily in 2006 as physicians, hospitals and other medical institutions sought effective, minimally invasive means to control uterine bleeding while preserving the mother's ability to bear additional children.

"To increase patient comfort and preserve fertility during procedures, it is imperative that today's female patients have treatment options designed specifically for their bodies," says Christina Anne, Global Leader of Cook Women's Health. "The Bakri Postpartum Balloon has quickly become one of the most viable options for treating postpartum bleeding. The global recognition we've received combined with the removal of the contraindication for uterine atony further demonstrates Cook's ongoing commitment to reducing the number of maternal deaths related to this potentially devastating condition."

Since the announced launch of the specialized business unit in May 2006, Cook Women's Health has brought a new level of patient-centered innovation to market recognizing that women have special health and medical needs. Cook Women's Health continues to uniquely address prevalent issues in women's health globally including infertility, high-risk obstetrics, chronic pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, and stress urinary incontinence.

Reference:

1 Combs CA, Murphy EL, Laros RK Jr. Factors associated with postpartum hemorrhage with vaginal birth. Obstetrics & Gynecology 1991; 77:69-76. (Level II-2)

About Cook Medical

With international headquarters in Bloomington, Indiana, Cook[R] Medical (www.cookmedical.com), the world's largest privately held medical device manufacturer, is a leading designer, manufacturer and global distributor of minimally invasive medical device technology for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Since its founding in 1963, Cook has created innovative technologies for radiology, cardiology, urology, critical care medicine, general surgery, assisted reproduction, gynecology and obstetrics, endovascular medicine, gastroenterology and endoscopy. Cook Medical was named the 2006 Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry Magazine Medical Device Manufacturer of the Year.