Study Published in The American Journal of Cardiology Supports Hypothesis That Vasomedical's EECP Therapy Improves Myocardial Perfusion Through Angiogenesis.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

WESTBURY, N.Y.--(BW HealthWire)--April 2, 2002

Data Further Confirm the Mechanisms of Action Associated With EECP 

Therapy

Vasomedical, Inc. (Nasdaq: VASO) announced today that a new study on EECP therapy entitled "Effects of Enhanced External Counterpulsation on Stress Radionuclide Coronary Perfusion and Exercise Capacity in Chronic Stable Angina Pectoris" was published in this month's edition of The American Journal of Cardiology (Vol. 89 April 1, 2002).

These data further support several reports issued in the past year describing the mechanisms of action associated with EECP therapy, such as neurohormonal effects (e.g., the increase in nitric oxide) and angiogenesis effects.

The 175-patient study demonstrated that the benefits achieved with EECP were attributable to an improvement in vascular conditioning which results in reduced cardiac workload for a given level of exertion and an improvement in cardiac performance by increasing perfusion to regions of the heart that were lacking adequate blood supply. The study confirms the improvement in blood flow seen in earlier, smaller studies. The results of this study are particularly impressive given the diversity of centers whose data was analyzed.

This prospective analysis looked at 155 men and 20 women from seven centers worldwide who had received a 35-hour course of EECP therapy and compared the results of radionuclide perfusion treadmill stress tests (RPSTs) that were administered to all patients both prior to EECP treatment and within six months following the completion of their course of therapy. Four of the centers in this study performed post-EECP RPSTs to the same level of exercise as the pre-EECP stress test. The other three centers performed maximal RPSTs with patients exercising to a maximal level of exertion.

The results showed that 85% of patients improved by at least one Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) angina class. The CCS classification system is the most common method used to evaluate angina status. In addition, 83% of those patients in whom post-EECP RPSTs were performed at the same level of exercise as the pre-EECP stress tests and 54% of patients who underwent maximal post-EECP stress tests showed a significant improvement in their perfusion images. Moreover, those who underwent maximal RPSTs post-EECP showed a significant improvement in exercise duration with little or no change in the double product (defined as peak systolic Blood Pressure x Peak Heart Rate). Those who exercised to the same level as their pre-EECP stress tests achieved a significantly lower double product. The double product, in essence, represents the energy required to produce the metabolic needs of the heart. A lowering of the double product here indicates that there is less demand being placed on the heart for a given level of exertion.

Lead author Tomasz P. Stys, MD, State University of New York at Stony Brook, stated "EECP was effective in improving stress myocardial perfusion in patients with chronic stable angina at both comparable and at maximal exercise levels. Our study supports the hypothesis that EECP improves myocardial perfusion via collateral recruitment or development (angiogenesis). A decrease in double product was observed in those patients who underwent RPSTs at pre-EECP exercise levels and may be related to the increases in nitric oxide and decrease in endothelins previously reported by our group. These changes may reflect normalization of the abnormal vasomotor tone and improvement in the endothelial dysfunction associated with cardiovascular disease."

Vasomedical, Inc. is primarily engaged in designing, manufacturing, marketing and supporting EECP 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 noninvasive, outpatient therapy for the treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system. 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 is also actively engaged in research to determine potential benefits of EECP therapy in the management of other major vascular disease states, including congestive heart failure and diabetes. The Company provides hospitals, clinics and private practices with EECP(R) equipment, treatment guidance and a staff training and maintenance program designed to provide optimal patient outcomes. EECP(R) is a registered trademark for Vasomedical's enhanced external counterpulsation system. 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.