5 Dec 2007 07:00
For immediate release 5th December 2007 LiDCO Group Plc ("LiDCO" or "the Company")
Successful studies further validating the use of LiDCO's products in high-risk surgical patients
LiDCO, the UK based, AIM-quoted cardiovascular monitoring company, today announces the results of three further studies validating the use of the Company's technology in high-risk surgical patients. This is a market that we estimate to represent a potential worldwide revenue opportunity of over ‚£400 million per annum. These studies were conducted by senior anesthesiologists in the following major academic centres: University of Udine and University of Naples both in Italy and the University of Ghent, in Belgium where the patients studied were undergoing cardiac surgery or liver transplantation.
The cardiac surgery patients studied undergo surgical manipulation and dislocation of the heart (off-pump technique) which causes cardiovascular instability and requires management on a minute-to-minute basis. The correct choice of intervention, either through administering additional fluids or drugs, is crucial. The investigators from Naples and Ghent have concluded that the LiDCO `pulse power' algorithm was able to both control fluid levels and follow changes in blood flow in these very challenging conditions.
Professor Luigi Belloni notes in his paper on the study: "In conclusion, the present results confirm the ability of LiDCO's PPV and SVV to predict fluid responsiveness and suggest the choice of LiDCO as a reliable, minimally invasive, and simple method to obtain these markers in the operating room."
The study from the University of Udine investigated the accuracy of the device to manage the care of a group of postoperative liver transplant patients over the crucial first two days following their surgery. These patients are recovering from high-risk surgery and are commonly hemodynamically unstable and difficult to manage without such advanced hemodynamic monitoring. The LiDCO technology was seen as having a number of advantages over existing technologies, as the majority of critically ill patients have arterial catheters and so the LiDCO technology is not incrementally invasive but allows hemodynamic monitoring to be provided without the risk of additional catheter complications. The doctors concluded "Based on our results, intermittent and continuous cardiac output measurement with the LiDCO System seems to be a useful extension of haemodynamic monitoring for a large surgical population, in which arterial and intravenous access is commonly available."
A newer - and larger - market opportunity within the anesthesia/major surgery market is starting to develop which LiDCO estimates could grow to an annual value of over ‚£400 million. In order to access fully this market we are developing a new and unique surgery product the LiDCOrapid. This product is designed to be simpler to interpret, quicker to set up and a cost-effective way of managing the hemodynamics of surgical, or any hemodynamically unstable patient requiring fluid and drug support. The central component of this product is LiDCO's existing and patent protected algorithm (pulse power - PulseCOTM) - which has been shown by these investigators to follow trends in fluid dynamics and blood flow in challenging surgical indications. The LiDCOrapid is an evolutionary development that has at its core an already widely validated approach enhanced with additional user features that should ensure its place in the care of high-risk surgery patients.
Dr Terry O'Brien, Chief Executive of LiDCO commented: "We are very pleased that the results from these important studies at leading centres have demonstrated the benefits of using LiDCO's technology for the management of patients in very demanding surgical environments, thus further opening up a substantial addressable market for the Company."
- ENDS -
For more information about these publications please contact:
LiDCO Group Plc Tel: +44 (0)20 7749 1500 Terry O'Brien - Chief Executive
Buchanan Communications Tel: +44 (0)20 7466 5000 Tim Anderson, James Strong Notes for EditorsAbout LiDCO Group Plc
LiDCO is a UK-based AIM-traded developer, manufacturer and leading supplier of minimally invasive, computer-based hemodynamic monitoring equipment and disposables used primarily for the management of critical care and cardiovascular risk hospital patients. Use of LiDCO's technology has been shown to significantly reduce the complications (particularly infections) and costs associated with major surgery. The technology was invented in the Department of Applied Physiology based at St Thomas' Hospital, London. For more information please see www.lidco.com.
The Company's manufacturing facility is in Hoxton, London and its current products are:
* LiDCOplus and PulseCO monitors: computer-based platforms for displaying a range of real-time, continuous hemodynamic parameters including cardiac output, oxygen delivery and fluid volume (PPV and SVV).
* LiDCO disposables: used in conjunction with the LiDCOplus Monitor to accurately determine cardiac output in a minimally-invasive manner.
* LiDCOview - software product for use on a PC: designed to aid clinical audit, teaching and research activities.
* LiDCOlive - software product in development for the remote display of hemodynamic monitoring parameters derived through use of the LiDCOplus monitor.
Distribution Network:
The Company has now achieved registration of its products in 14 markets in Europe, the USA, Brazil, South Korea and Japan. It sells direct in the UK and USA, and elsewhere through a worldwide network of speciality critical care distributors.
LIDCO GROUP PLC