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CardioDynamics Announces Significant ICG Study with Nearly Three Times the National Average Blood Pressure Control Rates at the American Society for Hypertension Annual Scientific Meeting
CardioDynamics Announces Significant ICG Study with Nearly Three Times the National Average Blood Pressure Control Rates at the American Society for Hypertension Annual Scientific Meeting
SAN DIEGO, May 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CardioDynamics
(Nasdaq: CDICD), the innovator and leader of Impedance Cardiography (ICG)
technology and manufacturer of BioZ(R) noninvasive cardiac monitoring systems,
today announced the presentation of a significant independent ICG clinical
study at the Twenty-third Annual American Society for Hypertension (ASH)
Scientific Meeting inNew Orleans, Louisiana.
Study results were reported from a 65 physician primary care and
cardiology group practice and demonstrated an impressive 102% improvement in
blood pressure control rates, with control rates improving from 42% to 88%.
Over 76,000 patient visits were included in the analysis.
Robert E. Matthews, Executive Director, PriMed Physicians,Dayton Ohio,
stated, "Our physician group has set strategic goals to achieve nationally
recognized levels of clinical and service quality, particularly chronic
disease management including hypertension. We used a Six Sigma quality
approach to develop a process for the treatment of patients diagnosed with
hypertension and we incorporated the use of BioZ ICG to guide antihypertensive
therapy selection in patients whose blood pressure was not at goal. Our
analysis clearly and repeatedly showed that the use of ICG was a significant
contributor to whether or not the patient achieved goal blood pressure and
allowed us to achieve the highest known hypertension control rate of all group
practices inthe United States."
Douglas Magenheim, M.D., M.B.A, Medical Director for PriMed, initially
piloted use of the BioZ ICG and found that it significantly improved his
ability to help achieve appropriate hypertension control. Based upon his
experience, the group initially included BioZ ICG in the Hypertension quality
process and measured whether, in fact, it would be an effective, value added
step in changing outcomes.
Mark Couch, M.D., President, PriMed Physicians, stated, "According to
JNC-7 national guidelines and several other studies, approximately 31% to 34%
of patients who have the diagnosis of hypertension are actually achieving goal
blood pressure. Our group's baseline, pre-intervention results demonstrated
that 42% of our patients were at or better than the JNC-7 goal blood
pressures. This rate, while better than the national average, left great room
for improvement. We are extremely pleased with the 88% control rates we have
achieved and the fact that we appear to lead the nation in managing this very
highly important disease. Our internal Six Sigma studies have repeatedly
confirmed that the use of ICG was a significant tool to assist our physicians
and patients to achieve blood pressure goal. Conversely, the achievement of
goal blood pressure was significantly impeded when this test was not used on
hypertensive patients. Therefore, we have adopted a policy as a group that
our physicians shall use the Hypertension Process, including ICG, when the
patient's blood pressure is not at goal."
Multiple classes of antihypertensive medications have been identified, and
more than 100 medications are available for the treatment of high blood
pressure. However, improved blood pressure control has remained an elusive
target despite great public and physician awareness and a large armament of
antihypertensive medications with proven benefit. The number of available
drugs and co-morbidities creates difficult blood pressure management
decisions, especially in the patient with long-standing hypertension. ICG has
emerged as a valuable new tool for diagnostic and prognostic assessment in
hypertensive patients to aid therapeutic decision making.
"These are impressive, real-world results, nearly three times the national
average, across a 65-plus multi-specialty physician group practice," stated
Michael K. Perry, CardioDynamics' Chief Executive Officer. "The medical
community continues to validate ICG's usefulness in physicians' diagnosis and
treatment as well as patient outcomes. We remain committed to partnering with
the research community to incorporate ICG into the treatment guidelines and to
significantly improve outcomes for the millions of patients with high blood
pressure, heart failure and other forms of cardiovascular disease."
About CardioDynamics
CardioDynamics (Nasdaq: CDICD), the ICG Company, is the innovator and
leader of an important medical technology called impedance cardiography (ICG).
The Company develops, manufactures and markets noninvasive ICG diagnostic and
monitoring devices and markets proprietary ICG sensors. The Company's ICG
Systems are being used by physicians around the world to help battle the
number one killer of men and women -- cardiovascular disease. Partners
include GE Healthcare, Philips Medical Systems and Mindray. For additional
information, please refer to the company's Web site at http://www.cdic.com.
Forward-Looking (Safe Harbor) Statement
Except for historical and factual information contained herein, this press
release contains forward-looking statements the accuracy of which is
necessarily subject to uncertainties and risks including the Company's sole
dependence on the BioZ product line, and various uncertainties characteristic
of early growth companies, as well as other risks detailed in the Company's
filings with the SEC, including its 2007 Form 10-K. The Company does not
undertake to update the disclosures contained in this press release.
SOURCE CardioDynamics
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