CryoCath Introduces Arctic Front in Italy, Belgium and Spain
Montreal, Canada, June 27, 2008 - CryoCath® Technologies Inc., the global leader in cryotherapy
products to treat cardiac arrhythmias, today announced the introduction of
Arctic Front® in Italy, Belgium and Spain. Arctic Front, the
Company’s lead product for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
(PAF), is a unique cryoablation balloon catheter that allows physicians to
safely and effectively isolate all four pulmonary veins for the treatment of
PAF.
“The introduction of Arctic Front in Italy, Belgium and Spain
provides us with an exciting opportunity to deliver the benefits of our
breakthrough therapy to a larger patient population and drive one of our key
corporate goals of explosive and profitable revenue growth in Europe,” said Jan
Keltjens, President and CEO of CryoCath. “As was the case in Australia and Hong
Kong, the European medical community has demonstrated great confidence in Arctic
Front based on its growing body of clinical evidence. By expanding our already
strong presence in Europe, we are continuing to drive the adoption of our Arctic
Front system worldwide.”
Prof. Dr. Claudio Tondo, Chief of the
Cardiology Division and Director of the Cardiac Arrhythmia and Heart Failure
Research Institute at the San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital in Rome, Italy
performed the first procedures with Arctic Front in Italy on June 9, 2008. Dr.
Tondo will provide leadership for the program in Italy, the second largest
electrophysiology market in continental Europe.
“Arctic Front represents
a step forward in the ablative strategies for atrial fibrillation. The
cryoballoon from CryoCath offers a safe and effective approach favoring a
substantial reduction of x-ray exposure time and, without the need to carry out
a double transseptal puncture,” said Dr. Tondo. “The cryo technology represents
an effective alternative to radiofrequency energy for safety reasons, prompting
the extension of the ablative treatment to a larger population of patients
suffering from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. We are looking forward to a
strong contribution towards expanding the use of the cryo technology in the
ablation of atrial fibrillation.”
The first Arctic Front procedures in
Belgium were performed in May 2008 by Prof. Dr. Pedro Brugada, Head of the Heart
Rhythm Management Centre, UZ Brussel – Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Dr. Gian
Battista Chierchia, Director Atrial Fibrillation and Pacing Program. Drs.
Brugada and Chierchia have treated four patients in Brussels to date.
“We
see great promise in the procedural simplicity of the Arctic Front System. The
cryoballoon’s innovative shape facilitates anatomical placement in the atrium at
the ostium of the targeted pulmonary vein,” said Dr. Brugada. “By its very
design, the Arctic Front catheter simplifies the ablation of pulmonary veins and
may reduce procedural time in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, in turn
offering greater comfort for the patient and operator alike.” Prof. Dr. Julián
Villacastín and his team at Hospital Clínico San Carlos in Madrid, Spain have
treated two patients since first using Arctic Front on June 24, 2008. The
patients treated to date have had successful outcomes and no safety concerns
have been reported. “We were very pleased with the ease of use afforded by the
cryoballoon, its simplicity and the success with our first patients. We were
particularly impressed with the spontaneous termination of the patient’s atrial
fibrillation during the cryoablation and return of sinus rhythm,” said, Dr.
Villacastín.
About Arctic Front
Arctic Front is a minimally
invasive cryo-balloon catheter designed specifically to treat paroxysmal Atrial
Fibrillation. This bi-directional, double balloon catheter enables physicians to
rapidly isolate all four pulmonary veins for the treatment of AFib. More than
2,600 patients have been treated in more than 45 centres across Europe.
About Medtronic CryoCath
CryoCath – www.cryocath.com – is a medical technology company that leads the
world in cryotherapy products to treat cardiac arrhythmias. With a priority
focus on providing physicians with a complete solution of catheter products to
treat cardiac arrhythmias, CryoCath has multiple products approved in the U.S.,
across Europe and several ROW countries. The Company is developing additional
products to expand its pipeline of products to treat cardiac
arrhythmias.
This press release includes “forward looking statements”
that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including with respect to the
timing of regulatory trials and their outcome. For information identifying
legislative or regulatory, economic, currency, technological, competitive and
other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those anticipated in the forward looking statements, see CryoCath’s annual
report available at www.sedar.com under the heading Risks and Uncertainties in
the Management’s Discussion and Analysis section.
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