New Research Study Involving CO2 TMR and Autologous Stem Cells Presented at the American Heart Association Meeting
12 November 2003 - 12:14AM
PR Newswire (US)
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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