Arrhythmia Research Technology, to sponsor satellite session at ISHNE/ISE congress in Gdansk

7 March 2005

FITCHBURG, Mass, USA. Arrhythmia Research Technology, Inc. (ART) will sponsor a satellite session, "Signal Averaged ECG — Is SAECG Back?" at the combined ISHNE/ISE congress in Gdansk, Poland on June 3, 2005. The Joint Congress of the International Society for Holter and Noninvasive Electrocardiology (ISHNE) and the International Society of Electrocardiology (ISE) will take place in Gdansk from June 2 through June 4 and marks the first joint congress of the two societies devoted to the advancement of research, science and education in the field of electrocardiology.

A signal-averaged electrocardiogram detects cardiac microvolt signals. Signal-averaging, which improves the signal to noise ratio, is the only means to detect and analyze such cardiac microvolt signals. High resolution acquisition equipment is used to collect the microvolt signals and transfer the data to an analytical system. Software, such as the ART's patented Predictor® software, embedded in the device then analyzes and filters the data to present the signal-averaged ECG (SAECG) for interpretation by the cardiologist.

The most commonly demonstrated use for SAECG is the ability to predict the likelihood of sustained ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with post myocardial infarction (MI). The most important aspect of SAECG is its ability to predict those who will not experience these events. SAECG is recommended for patients recovering from myocardial infarction to help determine their risk for developing sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmia's (VT) that could lead to sudden cardiac death. Specifically, SAECG have been demonstrated to have predictive values in the following areas: Stratification of risk of sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmia's in patients recovering from myocardial infarction; identification of patients with ischemic (inadequate blood supply) heart disease; assessment of risk of sudden cardiac death and predictive value of the need for an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) in patients with coronary artery disease.

Wojciech Zareba, MD, PHD, FACC, Associate Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) at the University of Rochester, Chairman of the Scientific Committee of the Congress and President Elect of ISHNE will present "SAECG in Risk Stratification for ICD Therapy" at the satellite session. Dr. Zareba was in charge of ECG core lab for the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial II (MADIT II) and currently runs the ECG core lab for the North American ARVD Registry (22 enrolling centers) as well as for the MADIT-CRT (100 enrolling centers). Also presenting at the session, which is being co-chaired by Dr. Gunter Breithardt (Germany) and Dr. Nabil El-Sherif (USA), are Dr. Vinzenz Hombach (Germany), "Delayed Activation and Ventricular Arrhythmias: SAECG Link", Dr. Jonathan Steinberg (USA), "P-Wave Averaging to Identify Risk of Atrial Fibrillation" and Dr. Frank Marcus (USA), SAECG in ARVD (Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia)."

Dr. Zareba, who has used the ART's patented Predictor® signal averaging software extensively, commented when asked what the significance of the "rebirth of the method" means that "...there is a larger group of MADIT II (Multi-center Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial II) type patients with normal QRS duration for whom there is a limited ability to stratify risk and prioritize for therapy with implantable cardioverter defibrillators. In such patients, SAECG identifies groups with increased and lower risk of death. In particular, negative predictive value is of significance since SAECG is able to determine one-third of patients with low risk that might not require ICD therapy. This might improve cost-effectiveness of ICD therapy in post infarction patients."

James E. Rouse, the Company's President and CEO stated, "We are extremely pleased to be a part of the combined ISHNE/ISE Congress which will be attended by 1500 to 2000 clinicians and researchers from all over the world. The continued interest in SAECG as a method of identifying low risk patients who might not require the intervention of a cardioverter defibrillator is a significant event for the Company. Predictor® (the Company's patented Windows® SAECG software platform) has long been recognized as the "gold standard" in signal averaging and we are excited about the market prospects for Predictor® as ICD therapy becomes more prevalent and cost becomes a greater concern. We are honored that Dr. Zareba has chosen Predictor® for use in his studies and has requested the Company to sponsor a significant satellite session "Signal-Averaged ECG - Is SAECG Back?" at the combined congress."

For more information about the joint congress visit http://www.gdansk2005.viamedica.pl

Additional information about the organizations can be found on the web at http://www.ishne.org and http://www.electrocardiology.net 

Source: Arrhythmia Research Technology, Inc.

Contact:
Arrhythmia Research Technology, Inc.
Frederick Lane, 978-345-5000
http://www.arthrt.com