Healthcare Industry News:  Cardiac Monitor 

Devices Cardiology Monitoring

 News Release - March 31, 2008

Medtronic Insertable Heart Monitor Gives New Insight Into Common Heart Rhythm Disturbance

Canadian Patients Now Have Access to Long-Term, Continuous Monitoring of Atrial Fibrillation

MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 31 (Healthcare Sales & Marketing Network) - Today Medtronic of Canada Ltd. announced the Canadian introduction of the Reveal(R) XT Insertable Cardiac Monitor (ICM), which offers long-term and continuous monitoring of Atrial Fibrillation (AF). Long-term, continuous monitoring means that a clinician no longer needs to rely only on incomplete data to evaluate how AF may be progressing or if treatment is effective. The first implants of the Reveal XT monitor in North America recently took place at London Health Sciences Centre's University Hospital, London, Ontario by Dr. Lorne Gula and Dr. Allan Skanes.

AF is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, yet treatment is difficult as episodes often have no symptoms and therefore go unnoticed by patients(1). However, the risks are well known - AF can lead to a two to seven times higher risk of stroke(2), an increased risk of heart failure(3) if rapid heart rates persist undetected for long periods of time.

The Reveal XT Insertable Cardiac Monitor monitors patients 24 hours a day, every day for up to three years. There are a variety of ways to treat AF, but previously physicians had no means of gathering detailed data, over an extended period, on the progression of AF and the effect of treatment. Reveal XT gives new insight into patients' heart rhythms, which may help physicians to make informed decisions about the patient's need for medication, cardioversion or other rate or rhythm control therapy.

As the Reveal XT monitor is inserted just under the skin, the patient experiences no restrictions in daily activities. Patients continue to lead their normal life and, therefore, heart activity recorded shows real-life, relevant information.

The device weighs just 15 grams and is approximately the size of a memory stick; unlike a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, there are no leads (tiny wires) that extend from the device into the heart's chamber(s). Electrocardiograms (ECGs) are recorded automatically and/or using a "Patient Assistant." To use the "Assistant," a patient places a hand-held activator over the device, and presses a button; a physician later analyzes the stored information.

In addition to the Reveal XT ICM, the Reveal(R) DX ICM also is now commercially available in Canada. The Reveal DX device continuously monitors the heart's electrical activity in order to help physicians diagnose whether or not symptoms such as fainting, dizziness and unexplained seizure-like episodes have a cardiac cause. The new Reveal devices provide significant improvements and advances over the Cardiac Monitoring technology Medtronic pioneered with the Reveal(R) Insertable Loop Recorder, which was jointly developed by Medtronic and George Klein, M.D., of London Health Sciences Centre's University Hospital, London, Ontario.

(1) T. Fetsch, EHJ. 2004;1385-1394
(2) ACC/AHA/ESC Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
(3) A. Krahn et al. Am J Med. 1995; 98:476-484

About Medtronic

Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology - alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world.

About Medtronic of Canada Ltd.

Medtronic of Canada sells, services and distributes Medtronic products in Canada: medical devices used in cardiovascular medicine, diabetes, spinal and neurosurgery, and ear, nose and throat surgery. Medtronic of Canada employs over 400 Canadians, it is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario since 1972 and has regional offices in Vancouver and Montreal.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 27, 2007. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.


Source: Medtronic of Canada

Issuer of this News Release is solely responsible for its content.
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