June 19, 2013 - LifeVest To Be Showcased at European Heart Rhythm Association Europace 2013

MEDIA CONTACT:  

Diane Egan
ZOLL Medical Corporation
+1 (978) 421-9637
[email protected]  

 

ZOLL LIFEVEST TO BE SHOWCASED AT EUROPEAN HEART RHYTHM ASSOCIATION EUROPACE 2013

 

June 19, 2013—CHELMSFORD, MASS.—ZOLL Medical Corporation, a manufacturer of medical devices and related software solutions, announced today that it will display the LifeVest® Wearable Defibrillator, along with sudden cardiac death (SCD) education and screening tools, in Booth H3-B340 at the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) Europace 2013, being held from 23-26 June in Athens, Greece.

The LifeVest will be discussed in the following scientific sessions:

  • Steven J. Szymkiewicz, MD, ZOLL will present “Risk of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Patients with Myocarditis and the Use of Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator: A German Experience,” Tuesday, 25 June, 5:45 p.m., Ithaca Lecture Room, Oral Abstract Session, Abstract #510.
  • Nicole R. Bianco, PhD, ZOLL, will present “Compliance with Wearable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Use in a European Cohort of Patients,” Wednesday, 26 June, 8:30 a.m., Poster Session 6, Poster #306.

LifeVest Provides Protection for Patients at Risk of SCD

Sudden cardiac death affects an estimated 400,000 individuals annually in Europe, causing more deaths than AIDS, lung and breast cancer, and stroke combined.i The LifeVest protects patients at risk for SCD. It is used to protect a wide range of patients, including patients with newly diagnosed heart failure, following recent myocardial infarction, or following coronary revascularization.

Following a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedure, 1 in 5 patients have been shown to be at high risk of early mortality.ii In post-PCI patients with a low ejection fraction (≤35%), 3 month mortality is 13%,iii and increases significantly in the presence of other risk factors.iv The LifeVest provides protection during this period of high risk, gives physicians time to optimize medical therapy, and helps ensure patients are not lost to follow up.

The LifeVest is lightweight and easy to wear, allowing patients to return to their activities of daily living, while having the peace of mind that they are protected from SCD. The LifeVest continuously monitors the patient’s heart and, if a life-threatening heart rhythm is detected, the device delivers a treatment shock to restore normal heart rhythm.

About ZOLL Medical Corporation

ZOLL Medical Corporation, an Asahi Kasei Group company, develops and markets medical devices and software solutions that help advance emergency care and save lives, while increasing clinical and operational efficiencies. With products for defibrillation and monitoring, circulation and CPR feedback, data management, fluid resuscitation, and therapeutic temperature management, ZOLL provides a comprehensive set of technologies that help clinicians, EMS and fire professionals, and lay rescuers treat victims needing resuscitation and critical care. For more information, visit www.zoll.com.

About Asahi Kasei

The Asahi Kasei Group is a diversified group of companies led by holding company Asahi Kasei Corp., with operations in the chemicals and fibers, homes and construction materials, electronics, and health care business sectors. Its health care operations include devices and systems for critical care, dialysis, therapeutic apheresis, transfusion, and manufacture of biotherapeutics, as well as pharmaceuticals, diagnostic reagents, and nutritional products. With more than 25,000 employees around the world, the Asahi Kasei Group serves customers in more than 100 countries. For more information, visit www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/asahi/en/.

Copyright © 2013 ZOLL Medical Corporation. All rights reserved. LifeVest and ZOLL are trademarks or registered trademarks of ZOLL Medical Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All product names are the property of their respective owners. Asahi Kasei is a registered trademark of Asahi Kasei Corporation. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

i Huikuri. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy and the total burden of sudden cardiac death. Europace (2009) 11, 1574.
ii Halkin, A et al. Prediction of Mortality After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Acute Myocardial Infarction: CADILLAC Risk Score. JACC 2005;45:1397–1405.
iii Zishiri E, et al. Use of the Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator and Survival After Coronary Artery Revascularization in Patients with Left Ventricular Dysfunction. Circulation 2011; 124:A9816.
iv Weintraub et al. Prediction of Long-Term Mortality After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Older Adults: Results From the National Cardiovascular Data Registry. Circulation 2012;125:1501–1510.