BG Medicine Welcomes Presentation Of Clinical Data On Galectin-3 Testing At The American Heart Association 2014 Scientific Sessions Conference
WALTHAM, Mass., Nov. 20, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BG Medicine, Inc. (Nasdaq:BGMD), the developer of the BGM Galectin-3® Test, announced today that 17 abstracts reporting independent research that investigates galectin-3 testing in various cardiovascular diseases have been presented at the American Heart Association's 2014 Scientific Sessions and Resuscitation Science Symposium, which was held in Chicago, Illinois during November 15-19, 2014.
"The clinical research presented on galectin-3 testing spans a broad spectrum of cardiovascular disease, from galectin-3 testing to identify heart failure patients at risk of near-term hospital readmissions, to galectin-3 testing for fibrosis-related disorders associated with the heart," said Dr. Paul R. Sohmer, President and CEO of BG Medicine, Inc. "Included among the abstracts presented were the results of preclinical and clinical research studies in which galectin-3 testing was studied alone and in combination with other biomarkers."
Abstracts from all presentations made at the conference are being published in the November 25, 2014 issue of the journal Circulation [1], and include the following:
Abstract No. 19799: "The Addition of Galectin-3 Significantly Improves Upon the Ability of Discharge BNP to Predict 60 Day Readmission for Acute Decompensated Heart Failure." Presented by clinicians from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, this study of patients discharged after a hospitalization for acute heart failure found that galectin-3 testing, performed using the BGM Galectin-3® Test, was able to significantly improve the identification of those patients who were unexpectedly re-hospitalized within 60 days of their discharge. The clinicians concluded that "This data will be useful to help identify those at-risk of re-admission and aid in efficiently implementing appropriate interventions to reduce re-admission rates."
Abstract No. 18557: "Low Galectin-3 Identifies Heart Failure Patients at Minimal Risk for Death or Rehospitalization." This analysis of a cohort of 592 patients, presented by a group of heart failure clinicians from the United States and Europe, concluded that low values of galectin-3 testing, as performed by the BGM Galectin-3® Test, were able to identify heart failure patients who were at minimal risk of repeated hospital admissions, within 30, 90 and 180 days after an initial hospitalization for heart failure. The clinical prediction provided by galectin-3 testing was significantly additive to other important patient parameters including kidney function, B-type natriuretic peptide level, and cardiac pumping capacity.
Abstract No. 17390: "Novel Heart Failure Biomarkers Predict Improvement of Mitral Regurgitation in Patients Receiving Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy-The BIOCRT Study." Performed by researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, and the Weill Cornell Medical College, this clinical research study of 132 patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy and followed for 2 years demonstrated that galectin-3 testing, to assess levels of tissue fibrosis, assisted in identifying patients with improved functional mitral regurgitation after device placement. Cardiac resynchronization therapy, or CRT, also referred to as biventricular pacing, involves the implantation of a specialized pacemaker device to attempt to improve the heart's rhythm and alleviate symptoms associated with arrhythmia in heart failure.
Abstract No. 18665: "Galectin-3 Predicts Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction After Myocardial Infarction." In this study of 380 patients who underwent coronary angioplasty after a myocardial infarction, or heart attack, clinicians reported that elevated levels of galectin-3 at baseline were a strong and independent predictor of those patients who, in the following 4 months, would experience a significant deterioration of cardiac ejection fraction, a measure of the pumping capacity of the filled ventricle of the heart. The researchers further concluded that the pro-fibrotic effects of high levels of galectin-3 after a heart attack may result in the detrimental decline in the pumping capacity of the heart that was observed.
Abstract No. 15237: "Serum Galectin-3 Level Predicts Late Recurrence Following Cryoballoon-based Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Lone Atrial Fibrillation Patients." In this study of 100 patients undergoing treatment for atrial fibrillation, a common cardiac arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, associated with fibrosis in the heart, elevated pre-procedural levels of galectin-3 were found to be a significant predictor for the identification of patients who experienced recurrence of their atrial fibrillation 12 months after the initial procedure.
Other abstracts presented included reports on preclinical research in which galectin-3 was studied in various animal models, clinical research in which galectin-3 was studied in stroke, atrial fibrillation, after aortic valve implantation, as a predictor of myocardial fibrosis in Kawasaki Disease, and, in combination with other biomarkers, in hypertensive heart disease, myocardial infarction, and heart transplants.
About the BGM Galectin-3® Test
The BGM Galectin-3® Test is cleared by the U.S. FDA as an aid in assessing the prognosis of patients diagnosed with chronic heart failure when used in conjunction with clinical evaluation.
The BGM Galectin-3® Test is CE Marked and is available in Europe as an aid in assessing the prognosis of patients diagnosed with acute and chronic heart failure when used in conjunction with clinical evaluation. It is also CE Marked for adults as an aid in assessing the risk of new onset heart failure.
About Galectin-3 and Heart Failure
Galectin-3 is a protein that is involved in fundamental disease processes including the development of fibrosis in organ tissues, and cardiac remodeling, which may lead to the development and progression of heart failure. Higher levels of galectin-3 are associated with a more aggressive form of heart failure, which may make identification of high-risk patients using galectin-3 testing an important part of patient care. Galectin-3 testing may be useful in helping physicians determine which patients are at higher risk of hospitalization or death. The BGM Galectin-3® Test is to be used as an aid in assessing the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure, in conjunction with clinical evaluation. For more information please visit www.BG-Medicine.com.
About BG Medicine, Inc.
BG Medicine, Inc. (Nasdaq:BGMD), the developer of the BGM Galectin-3® Test, is focused on the development and delivery of diagnostic solutions to aid in the clinical management of heart failure and related disorders. For additional information about BG Medicine, heart failure and galectin-3 testing, please visit www.BG-Medicine.com.
The BG Medicine Inc. logo is available for download here.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the clinical utility of galectin-3 testing and the predictive and prognostic value of galectin-3 as a biomarker of fibrosis and cardiac remodeling. These forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees of future performance, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in BG Medicine's annual report and quarterly reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and BG Medicine disclaims any obligation to update the information contained in this press release as new information becomes available.
References:
[1] Abstracts From the American Heart Association 2014 Scientific Sessions and Resuscitation Science Symposium. Circulation. Volume 130, Issue 22, Supplement 2; November 25, 2014.
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