Response Rates Strongly Favor EECP(R) Therapy for Patients 65 and Older
WESTBURY, N.Y., Dec 06, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Vasomedical, Inc. (OTCBB: VASO), a leader in the noninvasive treatment of cardiovascular diseases, announced today publication of additional results of the PEECH trial (Prospective Evaluation of EECP in Congestive Heart Failure) in the journal Congestive Heart Failure. The report, entitled "EECP Improves Exercise Duration and Peak Oxygen Consumption in Older Patients with Heart Failure: a Subgroup Analysis of the PEECH Trial," was published in the November-December issue of the journal.
EECP(R) therapy demonstrated significant benefits and greater response rates in patients age 65 or older for both exercise duration and peak oxygen consumption at 6-month follow-up.
"All of the patients in the PEECH trial received medications according to guidelines established by heart failure experts, but those receiving EECP(R) therapy experienced significant improvements in exercise performance and symptoms above and beyond those who did not," said Charles W. Abbottsmith, M.D., The Ohio Heart and Vascular Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, lead author of the report. "Better therapies are needed to treat heart failure, as currently available medications can improve survival, but often don't alleviate symptoms or enable a patient to do more. EECP(R) therapy is a safe, noninvasive treatment that can accomplish those objectives."
Significant differences in the response rates to therapy, the co-primary endpoints of the trial, were accompanied by a much greater degree of response in both exercise parameters in the 65 or older patients who received EECP(R) therapy. These patients also experienced a significant reduction in their heart failure symptoms.
"Heart failure is far more prevalent in older patients and they often have trouble tolerating their medications; EECP can be a beneficial adjunct in improving these patients' lives. Beyond the benefits of EECP(R) therapy shown in the overall results of the PEECH trial, this analysis shows that even greater benefit can be accomplished in older patients," noted Arthur M. Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chairman of the Department of Medicine, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, and principal investigator for the PEECH trial.
Heart failure is particularly common in elderly patients and becomes dramatically more prevalent in the population as people reach the age of 65 and beyond. It is also the most common reason for hospitalization in elderly patients.
Thomas Glover, president and chief executive officer of Vasomedical, commented, "Once again data from the PEECH trial strongly illustrates the beneficial role that EECP(R) therapy can play in patients with ischemic heart disease, such as heart failure and angina. We will continue to drive home the message that EECP(R) therapy is a safe, effective and low-cost modality that can improve many more lives and save precious health care resources if adopted more broadly."
About Vasomedical, Inc. and EECP(R) Therapy
Vasomedical, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets EECP(R) therapy systems to deliver its proprietary form of enhanced external counterpulsation therapy. EECP(R) therapy is a noninvasive, outpatient therapy used in the treatment of ischemic cardiovascular diseases, currently used to manage chronic stable angina and heart failure. The therapy increases blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart muscle and other organs and decreases the heart's workload and need for oxygen. Function of the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels throughout the body, is also improved, lessening resistance to blood flow. These actions reduce or eliminate symptoms of angina and heart failure, and improve exercise performance and quality of life for thousands of people worldwide. For more information visit 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 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 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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Watched it years ago before it tanked. That EECP treatment has been around a long time, but the stock never seemed to go anywhere. Probably good for a short play if there is to be more news, but if you're looking for long-term investment, pass this one by.
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