SonoSite to highlight cardiac capabilities of TITAN ultrasound system at
congress
4 March 2005
ORLANDO, Fla, USA. SonoSite, Inc. (Nasdaq:SONO - News), the world leader
in hand-carried ultrasound, will highlight the cardiac capabilities of its
high performance TITAN(TM) ultrasound system, including the new SonoCalc(TM)
IMT (Intima Media Thickness) software for assessment of cardiovascular risk,
at the 54th Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology
(ACC) being held from March 6 - 9, 2005.
"For the first time, IMT capability is now offered on a hand-carried
ultrasound system, making it easily affordable and accessible in the
physician's office," said Kevin M. Goodwin, SonoSite President and CEO. "IMT
has long been recognized by the cardiac research community as an effective
indicator of heart disease, particularly in people who are otherwise
asymptomatic. The numerous scientific sessions on IMT at this ACC indicate a
growing interest in moving this technique from research to everyday clinical
diagnostic use."
SonoSite is offering a demonstration of its SonoCalc IMT software in
booth #3563 at the ACC Scientific Sessions.
SonoSite is also showcasing the recent expansion of capabilities on its
high performance TITAN system for the shared service and dedicated
echocardiography markets. Since releasing cardiac capabilities in June 2004,
over 25% of TITAN shipments worldwide now include these features. Weighing
only 7.7 pounds (3.5 kg.), the TITAN system boots up in less than 12
seconds, is easy to use and can be hand carried to wherever it is needed to
immediately deliver patient care efficiently and effectively.
SonoCalc IMT software
SonoSite's SonoCalc patented automated edge-detection technology provides
physicians with the ability to analyze the IMT of a patient's carotid artery
and compare it with published population data to generate an individualized
cardiovascular health profile report. The software provides fully automated
single-click IMT measurement capability, semi-automated, user-guided IMT
sketch or trace measurements for difficult images; statistical analysis of
multiple IMT measurements; patient-specific exam electronic file management;
and professional report generation summarizing one or more IMT examinations
for a particular patient.
Over 20 years of clinical research has shown that the arterial wall lining
of the carotid arteries, or IMT, can become thickened years before plaque
develops within a vessel. This increased wall thickness is associated with
an increased risk of a cardiovascular event, such as heart attack or stroke,
the leading causes of mortality and disability in the United States today.
IMT has been used as an indicator of efficacy in the development of several
statin drugs and it is recognized by the FDA as a surrogate marker for
measuring the progression of heart disease.
According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease is the
leading cause of death in the US and affects an estimated 64 million men,
women and children. Until recently, measuring cholesterol levels or looking
for the presence of C-reactive protein (acute phase proteins whose levels
increase when there is inflammation of blood vessels) have been among the
few options in evaluating the risk of a cardiovascular event. However,
recent studies have shown a 95% correlation between disease present in the
carotid arteries and disease present in the coronary arteries, making IMT an
important tool for identifying patients at increased risk for cardiovascular
disease.
Source: Sonosite
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