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RHEOLOGICS TECHNOLOGIES INC (U-RTGI) - News Release Research Using the Rheolog(TM) May Lead to New Standards for Blood Transfusion in Sickle Cell Disease Patients
2006-06-29 13:52 ET - News Release
EXTON, Pa. -- (Business Wire) -- June 29, 2006
Rheologics Inc., a subsidiary of Rheologics Technologies, Inc. (OTC:RTGI; "Rheologics", "the Company"), is pleased to announce that its signature product, the Rheolog(TM) was the primary device utilized in a prominent sickle cell disease (SCD) study published in this month's edition of the American Association of Blood Banks' scientific journal Transfusion. The research focused on the importance of whole blood viscosity measured across a wide range of shear rates in determining the optimum level of transfusion for sickle cell disease patients. With further clinical research, the findings may lead to improved sickle cell transfusion standards, including optimum hematocrit levels for transfusion, and hence to improved quality of care for patients with sickle cell disease. Blood transfusion with normal red blood cells is commonly used for sickle cell disease patients to alleviate severe anemia or acute chest syndrome, and also to prevent complications like stroke in children with the disease. However, excessive transfusion of normal red blood cells into sickle cell patients can significantly increase blood viscosity - with serious adverse hemodynamic consequences - including cerebral hemorrhage and death, as reported in the medical journal Lancet on May 10, 2003. The study titled, "Rheologic Behavior of Sickle and Normal Red Blood Cell Mixtures in Sickle Plasma: Implications for Transfusion Therapy," was spearheaded by Drs. Tamas Alexy and Herbert J. Meiselman of the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California (USC). Blood samples were obtained from adult sickle cell disease patients who were followed regularly at the USC Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center. The USC researchers utilized Rheologics' advanced clinical blood viscometer to examine optimum hematocrit levels (i.e., the proportion of red blood cells in the blood) for sickle cell transfusion therapy. Their findings focused on the hematocrit-to-blood-viscosity ratio, which is a measure of the oxygen transport effectiveness (or oxygen delivery capacity) of blood. For decades, this metric has been used as an index for considering the optimum transfusion level in clinical practice. Using the Rheolog(TM), Alexy, et al., demonstrated that the blood viscosity of transfused blood mixtures (normal red blood cells and sickle cells) dramatically influences the oxygen delivery capacity of the blood. Blood viscosity made the greatest impact at low shear where blood is moving slowly and red blood cells tend to aggregate. The findings suggest that, with further clinical research involving blood viscosity, the definition of optimum transfusion levels for sickle cell disease patients may be improved, resulting in a higher quality of care. The insights resulting from their study were made possible, in part, by the Rheolog(TM), which performs measurements of blood viscosity over a wide range of shear rates such as found in the human body. Dr. Meiselman, one of the lead investigators for the study, stated "The Rheolog's(TM) ability to measure blood viscosity at both the high and low shear rates (i.e., flow rates), and to do it simply and quickly, assisted us substantially throughout our study. We have been working with the Rheolog(TM) for quite some time, are satisfied with its performance, and feel that it is an invaluable tool for our research." According to research published by the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc., SCD is a global problem. In Western and Central African countries, approximately 25% of the people have SCD trait and 1-2% of children are born with the homozygous form of the disease. In the United States it is estimated that over 70,000 people currently have sickle cell disease, with roughly 1,000 babies born each year with the disease. SCD causes lung tissue damage, pain episodes and stroke. The blockage of blood flow caused by sickled cells also causes damage to most organs including the spleen, kidneys and liver.
About Rheologics
Rheologics Technologies, Inc. is committed to the development and commercialization of innovative medical products that significantly improve the diagnosis and treatment of human disease and that assist in the development of new drug compounds. The Company is accomplishing its mission by monitoring an overlooked basic physiological parameter -- whole blood viscosity. Rheologics believes that its proprietary innovations will ultimately enable earlier diagnosis of diseases and the development of new cost-effective therapies that conquer today's most difficult medical problems, thereby improving the quality of life for millions of people worldwide. Further information on Rheologics may be found at www.rheologics.com.
About the Rheolog(TM)
Rheologics has introduced a research device for measuring the biophysical properties of circulating blood. The Rheolog(TM) measures the rheological properties of whole blood in an environment identical to blood flow in the human vascular system. By combining dual-riser tube technology, microprocessors, and proprietary algorithms, Rheologics' innovative scanning-capillary viscometer captures a patient's blood viscosity over the range of shear rates in a cardiac cycle. The Rheolog(TM) is the first device of its kind that enables clinicians and researchers to obtain a complete and accurate whole blood viscosity profile in real-time at the point-of-care or in the lab. The device's proprietary disposable kit eliminates the need for clean-up, the potential for contamination or operational errors. The current beta-version is being re-packaged for mass commercialization.
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including
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