WAYNE, N.J., Nov. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- MAQUET Cardiovascular LLC, a leading provider of cardiovascular technologies, announced today that it has signed a guaranteed two-year contract with Novation, one of the nation's largest group purchasing organizations, to be the sole source provider of surgical devices for beating heart cardiac surgery.

Under the terms of the agreement, which runs through October 31, 2012, MAQUET Cardiovascular will be the exclusive provider of beating heart devices and disposable supplies to the members of VHA Inc. and University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC). Those members will now have access to all of MAQUET's beating heart products, including the industry-leading ACROBAT stabilizer system and the HEARTSTRING Proximal Seal System.

"Being named Novation's sole source provider for beating heart surgical devices is a testament to our comprehensive line of cardiac surgery devices," said Raoul Quintero, President of MAQUET Cardiovascular U.S. Sales LLC. "Our growing relationship with Novation recognizes MAQUET's product line as one of the most advanced cardiac patient care solution systems available, and we are eager to develop strong alliances with the members Novation serves."

Beating heart surgery, or off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) as it is also called, is performed without the use of a heart-lung machine, allowing the heart to continue beating during the surgical procedure. MAQUET's completely clampless beating heart products position and stabilize the heart, helping surgeons provide optimal outcomes for high-risk coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients. MAQUET's stabilizers, positioners and anastomosis systems, which are devices that aid in sewing vessels onto the heart, are included in the agreement. These products are used in combination with MAQUET's market-leading VASOVIEW for endoscopic vessel harvesting.

"As a result of this agreement, the members of VHA and UHC will have access to the leading devices in this category with preferred pricing and service available from MAQUET," said Scott Crandall, Senior Director, Contract Services Cardiology at Novation.

About Novation

Founded in 1998, Novation is the leading health care supply contracting company for more than 25,000 members of VHA Inc. and the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC), two national health care alliances and nearly 15,000 members of Provista, LLC. Novation offers its customers contract development and management, supply chain data and measurement, and industry knowledge and advocacy. Based in Irving, Texas, Novation develops and manages competitive contracts with more than 500 suppliers. VHA, UHC and Provista members used Novation contracts to purchased nearly $35.7 billion in 2008.

About MAQUET Cardiovascular

MAQUET Cardiovascular is a leader in providing innovative products for cardiac surgery, vascular intervention and cardiac support to hospitals and clinics and the cardiac surgeons, interventional cardiologists, perfusionists and other healthcare professionals who care for patients with cardiovascular disease. MAQUET Cardiovascular is focused on providing clinicians with future-oriented technology that fits into their daily practice and that improves the therapeutic management of patients. MAQUET Cardiovascular continues to invest in the development of innovative technologies and solutions that advance clinical practice, improve patient outcomes and enhance quality of life.

MAQUET Cardiovascular was formed in 2003 when MAQUET combined its existing Cardiopulmonary business with Jostra's equipment and consumables for open heart surgery and Siemens Life Support Systems that GETINGE acquired in 2003. In 2008, it added the Cardiac Surgery and Vascular Interventions businesses that GETINGE acquired from Boston Scientific and Guidant in 2008. In 2009, it added the cardiac assist businesses that GETINGE acquired from Datascope. MAQUET Cardiovascular provides healthcare professionals with products in four business units: Cardiopulmonary (perfusion products), Cardiac Surgery (clampless beating heart and endoscopic vessel harvesting), Vascular Interventions (grafts for vascular surgery), and Cardiac Assist (intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation therapy).

About MAQUET

The MAQUET Group is the global market leader for Medical Systems, focusing on the Operating Room (OR) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The integrated products of MAQUET are specially designed to deliver optimal clinical treatment and therapy concepts within acute care hospitals. MAQUET provides innovative medical solutions from three divisions:

• Cardiovascular with products for cardiac assist (intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation therapy), coronary artery bypass surgery, heart valve repair, aneurysm and vascular repair, peripheral interventions and extracorporeal circulation.
• Critical Care for intensive care ventilators and anesthesia machines.
• Surgical Workplaces for OR tables, lights and ceiling service units, prefabricated OR and ICU suites, as well as telemedicine for the OR integration.

MAQUET is a subsidiary of the publicly-listed Swedish GETINGE GROUP, a company with over $2.8 billion in revenues (2008 fiscal year) and 12,800 employees worldwide. In 2008 MAQUET itself generated pro-forma revenues (including the acquisition of Datascope Corp.) of over $1.4 billion. The company now has 5,000 employees in 35 international sales and service organizations, as well as a network of more than 200 sales representatives.

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SOURCE MAQUET Cardiovascular LLC

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