Healthcare Industry News: Edwards Lifesciences
News Release - August 29, 2007
Edwards Lifesciences Introduces First Real-Time, Continuous Central Venous Oxygenation Saturation Monitoring Technology for Critically Ill Children
IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 29 (HSMN NewsFeed) -- Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE: EW ), the global leader in hemodynamic monitoring technology, announced today the introduction of its Edwards PediaSat Oximetry Catheter, the first real-time, continuous ScvO2 monitoring device designed specifically for children. This new central venous catheter uses fiber optics to monitor and identify potentially life-threatening changes in oxygen- saturation of venous blood in critically ill children. This advanced technology -- previously only available for adults -- is even more important for children since they typically do not demonstrate the same warning signs of potentially fatal issues and can destabilize much faster than adults."Continuing our history of critical care innovations, Edwards is proud to introduce the first ScvO2 monitoring device designed specifically for children," said Carlyn D. Solomon, Edwards' corporate vice president, critical care. "Based upon feedback from leading clinicians already using our PediaSat oximetry catheter, we believe the use of this technology has the potential to become a best practice for monitoring pediatric conditions in the operating room and intensive care unit."
"The PediaSat oximetry catheter provides a unique solution to a long- standing need for a critical care monitoring device that is suitable for the smaller anatomy of a child," said Aman Mahajan, M.D., Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles. "Clinicians now have an early warning system to provide critical therapy by using the PediaSat oximetry catheter's continuous real-time insight into the balance of oxygen delivery and consumption, and trending of the patient's status over time. With this information, clinicians can more confidently guide therapy and help improve outcomes for critical care pediatrics."
Until now, clinicians have had to rely on manual, intermittent blood sampling to monitor a child's oxygenation status in a critical care setting. Intermittent blood sampling does not provide the same wealth of information as the PediaSat oximetry catheter, and incurs the risks of multiple blood draws, infection and increased potential for transfusions.
There are thousands of critically ill children (from newborn to 16 years old) that can benefit from the PediaSat oximetry catheter, including children with congenital heart disease, complex cardiac conditions, sepsis and septic shock, trauma and brain injuries, pulmonary disease, transplants, hematology / oncology patients and those with other high-risk conditions.
Beginning with the introduction of the Swan-Ganz catheter in the early 1970s, Edwards has partnered with clinicians to develop new products that advance critical care medicine, including the FloTrac sensor, the Vigilance II monitor, and now the PediaSat oximetry catheter. Over the past 35 years, Edwards' critical care products have been used around the world to help clinicians manage more than 30 million patients.
About Edwards Lifesciences
Edwards Lifesciences, a leader in advanced cardiovascular disease treatments, is the number-one heart valve company in the world and the global leader in acute hemodynamic monitoring. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Edwards focuses on specific cardiovascular disease states including heart valve disease, peripheral vascular disease and critical care technologies. The company's global brands, which are sold in approximately 100 countries, include Carpentier-Edwards, Cosgrove-Edwards, FloTrac, Fogarty, LifeStent, PERIMOUNT Magna and Swan-Ganz. Additional company information can be found at http://www.edwards.com.
This news release includes 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. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those related to the results from the clinical use of the PediaSat oximetry catheter. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by management of the company and are believed to be reasonable, though they are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict.
Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or experience to differ materially from that expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or experiences to differ materially from that expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements include those risks detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
Edwards and Vigilance II are trademarks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation. Edwards Lifesciences, Carpentier-Edwards, Cosgrove-Edwards, FloTrac, Fogarty, PediaSat, PERIMOUNT Magna and Swan-Ganz are trademarks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation and are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office. LifeStent is a trademark of Edwards Lifesciences AG and is registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Source: Edwards Lifesciences
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