Positive PEECH Trial Results and Related Article Highlighting Mechanism of Action Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.WESTBURY, N.Y. -- EECP EECP® Enhanced external counterpulsation, see there Therapy Benefits Patients with Mild-to-Moderate Heart Failure; is Most Effective for Treating Ischemic Ischemic An inadequate supply of blood to a part of the body, caused by partial or total blockage of an artery. Mentioned in: Antiangiogenic Therapy, Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Ventricular Fibrillation ischemic Heart Failure Patients Vasomedical, Inc. (OTCBB OTCBB See OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB). : VASO.OB), a leader in the non-invasive treatment and management of cardiovascular diseases, announced today publication of the results of the PEECH PEECH Prospective Evaluation of EECP in Congestive Heart Failure trial (Prospective Evaluation of EECP in Congestive Heart Failure congestive heart failure, inability of the heart to expel sufficient blood to keep pace with the metabolic demands of the body. In the healthy individual the heart can tolerate large increases of workload for a considerable length of time. ) in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is a nonprofit medical association established in 1949 to educate, research and influence health care public policy. The president for the 2006–2007 year is Steven E. Nissen. [1] The organization has 39 chapters in the U.S. . The report, entitled "Enhanced External Counterpulsation enhanced external counterpulsation Cardiology A nonsurgical treatment of angina pectoris and CAD which ↑ blood flow to the heart by compressing blood vessels in the lower extremities. See MUST-EECP. 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 coronary artery disease, condition that results when the coronary arteries are narrowed or occluded, most commonly by atherosclerotic deposits of fibrous and fatty tissue. , achieved greater benefit than those with non-ischemic heart failure. Arthur Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chairman of the Department of Medicine, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University It began as Jefferson Medical College in 1824. On July 1, 1969 the institution officially became Thomas Jefferson University. The university is made up of three colleges:
Insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle (myocardium). Mentioned in: Myocarditis ischemic heart disease , including a randomized ran·dom·ize tr.v. ran·dom·ized, ran·dom·iz·ing, ran·dom·iz·es To make random in arrangement, especially in order to control the variables in an experiment. 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 University of Florida is the third-largest university in the United States, with 50,912 students (as of Fall 2006) and has the eighth-largest budget (nearly $1.9 billion per year). UF is home to 16 colleges and more than 150 research centers and institutes. 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 Blood vessels Tubular channels for blood transport, of which there are three principal types: arteries, capillaries, and veins. Only the larger arteries and veins in the body bear distinct names. 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 re·cline v. re·clined, re·clin·ing, re·clines v.tr. To cause to assume a leaning or prone position. v.intr. To lie back or down. 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 cardiac cycle n. A complete beat of the heart, including systole and diastole and the intervals between, beginning with any event in the heart's action to the moment when that same event is repeated. , 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 acute myocardial infarction ( 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. |
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