New Research Study Involving CO2 TMR and Autologous Stem Cells Presented at the American Heart Association Meeting - - Project May Lead to a New Treatment of Myocardial Infarction and Heart Failure - - FRANKLIN, Mass., Nov. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PLC Systems Inc. announced that data from a research study involving transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) with PLC's carbon dioxide (CO2) Heart Laser technology combined with autologous stem cells will be presented today at the Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association (AHA) held in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Race Kao, Professor & Chairholder, Carroll H. Long Chair of Excellence in Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, James H. Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University, will present data from a pre-clinical animal study titled "Autologous Stem Cells and Transmyocardial Laser Revascularization for Myocardial Infarction". Commenting on the study, Dr. Kao stated, "We are very encouraged by the early results of this revolutionary approach to increase ventricular function and enhance revascularization. The success of this project could lead to the development of a therapeutic procedure for the millions of patients suffering from coronary heart disease and heart failure. In conclusion, the data demonstrates that CO2 TMR combined with implanting autologous myogenic stem cells significantly reduced scar areas, improved myocardial perfusion, and enhanced contractile function after myocardial infarction." Dr. Kao discussed results from CO2 TMR in combination with the implantation into heart muscle of autologous (the patient's own) myogenic (muscle forming) cells from skeletal muscle expressing angiogenic factors. It is believed that the transplantation of autologous myogenic cells into CO2 TMR channels within the heart muscle will form new muscle tissue that will restore the contractile function and an expression of angiogenic factors will develop new blood vessels to improve perfusion of the damaged heart muscle after a heart attack. The myocardium (heart muscle) does not have myogenic cells like skeletal muscle. An injured heart typically repairs itself by scar formation and multiplication of non-muscle cells, which do not restore the damage that results from a heart attack. Dr. Race Kao, the Carroll H. Long Chair of Surgical Research at ETSU, is internationally recognized for his cardiovascular research and served as a reviewer for and consultant to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; the National Institutes of Health; and on the Research Peer Review Committee for the American Heart Association. East Tennessee State University's James H. Quillen College of Medicine in Johnson City, Tennessee, created in 1974, is a strong center for surgical research with a special interest in cardiovascular research that has been consistently funded by the National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association for the last five years. PLC Systems Inc. is a medical device company specializing in the design and manufacturing of carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers and related disposable components to treat coronary artery disease. Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE:EW) is the exclusive U.S. marketer and distributor of PLC's CO2 Heart Laser 2 system, which a cardiac surgeon can utilize to perform CO2 transmyocardial revascularization (TMR). CO2 TMR, pioneered by PLC Systems, is a surgical technology for treating severe angina, or heart pain. The CO2 Heart Laser is the only revascularization laser that has published data showing long-term (five-year) angina relief in severely debilitated heart patients. For more information on PLC and its products, please visit the Company's Web site at http://www.plcmed.com/. This press release contains "forward-looking" statements. For this purpose, any statements contained in this press release that relate to prospective events or developments are deemed to be forward-looking statements. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if our estimates change, and you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Actual results could differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of important factors, including operational changes, competitive developments, regulatory approval requirements, the ability to convince health care professionals and third party payers of the medical and economic benefits of the CO2 Heart Lasers, no assurance that all payers will reimburse health care providers who perform TMR procedures or that reimbursement, if provided, will be adequate, and additional risk factors described in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003, and our other SEC reports. Contact: John Jordan Director of Investor Relations 508-541-8800, ext. 145 DATASOURCE: PLC Systems Inc. CONTACT: John Jordan, Director of Investor Relations, of PLC Systems Inc., +1-508-541-8800, ext. 145 Web site: http://www.plcmed.com/

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