MAQUET Medical Systems USA Announces 100 Cases Completed With CARDIOHELP System Since Product Launch

WAYNE, N.J., Oct. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- MAQUET Medical Systems USA, a leader in extracorporeal life support (ECLS) systems, today announced that its CARDIOHELP System has been used successfully in 100 cases in patients whose heart and/or lungs are failing since the System was launched in the United States last year.

"The completion of the 100th case using CARDIOHELP in the United States is a testament to the extreme versatility of the device and its remarkable ability to provide cardiopulmonary support to patients undergoing a variety of critical, life-threatening procedures for conditions that require cardiopulmonary support," said Raoul Quintero, President, MAQUET Medical Systems USA.  "Since CARDIOHELP was launched, it has provided an important option for patients who have needed immediate, mobile, life-sustaining resuscitation both inside and outside the hospital."

To date, CARDIOHELP cases have been conducted at the University of Chicago Medicine, Mayo Clinic Minnesota and Arizona, Stanford Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital and New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, among many others. The device has been used in multiple settings in patients requiring circulatory and/or pulmonary support.  The 100th case was completed at the University of Chicago Medicine.

"The portable, miniaturized CARDIOHELP System allows us to take care of the sickest patients in a safe and expeditious way," said Atman P. Shah, MD, Medical Director, Cardiac Care Unit, University of Chicago Medicine. "The cath lab has a long tradition of implementing therapies to take care of patients quickly and effectively, and now we are able to implement complete cardiopulmonary support in the same time it would take us to treat a STEMI patient.  Critically ill patients with critical coronary artery disease, decompensated heart failure, or severe structural heart disease whose only option is to go to the operating room can now be stabilized and treated in the cath lab with confidence."

"The MAQUET CARDIOHELP System represents a paradigm shift in advanced hemodynamic support for patients across the spectrum of acute and chronic hemodynamic impairment," said Sandeep Nathan, MD, Director of Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Program, University of Chicago Medicine.  "The System differs significantly from other options currently available in its degree and predictability of support, portability and resource utilization.  Importantly, it can be implemented quickly and safely in the cardiac cath lab.  Our experience to date supports the notion that many patients previously deemed as 'no option' may indeed have an option and a very good one, at that."    

The CARDIOHELP System, which includes the HLS Advanced Tubing Set, is the first heart-lung support system approved for both ground and air transportation. It is light enough to be carried by one person and compact enough to be transported in a helicopter or vehicle. With its disposables, integrated sensors and individual operating modes, the CARDIOHELP System provides a new option for patients whose heart and/or lungs are failing despite other treatment options.  

Clinical Applications of CARDIOHELP
The CARDIOHELP System is a blood oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal system used to pump blood through the extracorporeal bypass circuit for circulatory and/or pulmonary support during procedures requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (for periods up to six hours). It is also intended to provide circulatory and/or pulmonary support during procedures not requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (for periods up to six hours).

The CARDIOHELP System offers several applications to support patients who require veno-venous life support or veno-arterial life support; it can also be used during open heart surgery and for extracorporeal carbon dioxide (CO₂) removal up to six hours.  Veno-venous life support, or respiratory assistance for lung disorders, is primarily used when the heart is still able to pump blood through the circulatory system without any additional support.  In severe respiratory failure, blood oxygenation is compromised, pH falls, and acid levels in the blood may dangerously rise.  The blood is removed from the jugular vein or a femoral vein for enrichment with oxygen and depletion of CO₂, after which it is returned to a vein.

Veno-arterial life support is used with patients whose hearts are not adequately supporting their circulation or have stopped.  It is vital to ensure cardiopulmonary support as early as possible to prevent organ damage.  Early intervention with the CARDIOHELP System may assist with hemodynamic stabilization enabling revascularization by means of catheterization or cardiac surgery.  In the case of a veno-arterial life support, the blood is removed from the right atrium or a femoral vein and is returned to the aorta or a femoral artery after oxygenation; some of the blood therefore bypasses the heart in a parallel circulatory system, thus relieving stress on the heart muscle.

Minimal extracorporeal circulation (MECC) with the CARDIOHELP System provides for a less invasive approach to cardiopulmonary support during open heart surgery.

Key Features of CARDIOHELP
The CARDIOHELP System may be installed in ambulances or helicopters and can be connected to the on-board power supply.  The integrated rechargeable battery also provides a minimum of 90 minutes of operation without an external power supply.  The CARDIOHELP System is operated via an easy touch screen with user guidance and a rotary knob to allow medical personnel with minimal life support experience to safely use the unit after suitable training.

The CARDIOHELP System monitors important blood parameters, including venous oxygen saturation, hemoglobin, hematocrit and arterial and venous blood temperature.  The complete sensor system, which also includes three pressure sensors, is integrated into the HLS Module Advanced disposable.

The CARDIOHELP System can be configured to capture case data and data recording intervals can be set individually from 3 seconds to 10 minutes.  For more information, visit http://www.cardiohelp-us.com.

*The CARDIOHELP System complies with other national transportation regulations.

About MAQUET
As a trusted partner for hospitals and clinicians since 1838, MAQUET is a global leader in medical systems that advance surgical interventions, cardiovascular procedures and critical care.  MAQUET develops and designs innovative products and therapeutic applications for the operating room, hybrid OR/Cath lab, intensive care unit and patient transport within acute care hospitals, improving outcomes and quality of life for patients.

Cardiovascular specialties include intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation therapy for cardiac assist, coronary artery bypass surgery, aortic and peripheral vascular surgery, and extracorporeal circulation.

The Critical Care portfolio includes market-leading intensive care ventilators and anesthesia machines.

MAQUET also equips Surgical Workplaces with critical infrastructure such as flexible room design for OR and ICU, OR tables, lights and ceiling supply units, and OR integration for image data management.

MAQUET is a subsidiary of the publicly listed Swedish Getinge Group. In 2011, MAQUET generated nearly 1.4 billion Euro which is more than half of the Group's annual revenue of 2.4 billion Euros. The Getinge Group has 13,000 employees worldwide, including around 6,000 MAQUET employees in 50 international sales and service organizations, as well as a network of more than 280 sales representatives. For more information please visit www.maquet.com and www.getingegroup.com.

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SOURCE MAQUET Medical Systems USA