Deltex Medical Regulatory News (DEMG)

25 Apr 2008 09:07

Deltex Medical Group PLC25 April 2008 Deltex Medical Group plc American Society of Anesthesiologists clinical paper alerts its members to the value of oesophageal Doppler monitoring (ODM) in surgery 25 April 2008 - Deltex Medical Group plc ("Deltex Medical" or "the Company"),the UK's leading haemodynamic monitoring company, today notes the publication ofa clinical review paper on oesophageal Doppler-guided fluid management duringsurgery in the monthly American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) communique toits members. The paper points out that: •traditional measures of fluid status and current strategies for fluid management may put the patient at significant risk of potentially harmful side-effects •much current practice in fluid therapy in the United States is guided by dogma and personal belief •there is a substantial evidence-base that demonstrates the value of flow-based (ODM) monitoring and management of fluid delivery during surgery The authors also note that independent systematic reviews of the published data("meta-analyses" and a US-government sponsored technology assessment) haveconfirmed the value of ODM in the surgical setting. Furthermore, the authors highlight that recent changes in reimbursement policyin the United States mean that doctors are able to charge for the use of ODM toguide fluid therapy during surgery or to assess haemodynamic status inventilated patients in intensive care. The article was written by Professor Girish Joshi and Dr Ana Crawford both ofthe University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas and can be accessedon-line at: www.asahq.org/Newsletters/2008/04-08/crawford04-08.html Deltex Medical's Chief Executive, Andy Hill commented: "The American Society of Anesthesiologists is respected as the leading association of anaesthetists in the USA and one of its primary goals is to set practice standards in anaesthesia and pain management. "This paper brings the attention of the 42,000 practicing members of the ASA the key facts about the clinical value of ODM and alerts them to its new reimbursement status." For further information, please contact:- Deltex Medical Group plc 01243 774 837Nigel Keen, Chairman njk@deltexmedical.comAndy Hill, Chief Executive ahill@deltexmedical.comEwan Phillips, Finance Director eap@deltexmedical.com Gavin Anderson & Company 0207 554 1400Deborah Walter dwalter@gavinanderson.co.ukRobert Speed rspeed@gavinanderson.co.uk Charles Stanley Securities 020 7149 6000(Nominated Adviser)Philip Davies philip.davies@csysecurities.comRussell Cook russell.cook@csysecurities.com Notes for Editors Deltex Medical manufactures and markets the CardioQ-ODM monitor, which usesdisposable ultra-sound probes inserted into the oesophagus to determine theamount of blood being pumped around the body - 'circulating blood volume'.Reduced circulating blood volume is known as hypovolaemia, which leads toinsufficient oxygen being delivered to the organs. This causes medicalcomplications including peripheral and major organ failure which can lead todeath. Hypovolaemia, which is akin to severe dehydration, affects virtuallyevery patient having surgery because of the combined effects of pre-operativestarvation, the impact of the anaesthetic agents and trauma from the surgeryitself. Using fluids and drugs, guided by the CardioQ-ODM, to optimise theamount of circulating blood significantly reduces post-operative complicationsallowing patients to make a faster, more complete recovery and return homeearlier. The CardioQ-ODM incorporates the Company's proprietary software and a smalldiameter, easy-to-use, minimally invasive, disposable oesophageal probe that isused for transmitting and receiving an ultra-sound signal. By using thistechnology, the CardioQ-ODM provides clinicians with the ability tohaemodynamically optimise critically ill patients and those undergoing routinemoderate to major surgery through the controlled administration of fluid anddrugs. Haemodynamic optimisation has been scientifically proven to improve thespeed and quality of patient recovery and reduce hospital stay. There are already over 1,500 CardioQ-ODMs currently in use in hospitalsworldwide and distribution arrangements are in place in over 30 countries. Inaddition, there are currently more than 100 clinical publications on the use ofthe CardioQ-ODM which have repeatedly:- •Validated the results of the Monitor against known standards for measuring cardiac output, demonstrating that the technology works •Proved that the CardioQ-ODM works in a wide range of surgical procedures •Demonstrated that the Company's technology provides significant health and economic benefits by helping to reduce post-operative complications and length of hospital stays by an average of 30 to 40 per cent for a wide range of patients. The SupraQ is an entirely non-invasive device which uses an ultrasound probeheld at the base of the patient's neck to track the flow of blood in the aorta;it presents the same data as the CardioQ-ODM in a similar format and is used fortaking snapshots or monitoring over short periods. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange