Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd. Launches Non-Invasive Vascular Diagnostic System For Cardiovascular Disease Management

ATLANTA, March 27 /PRNewswire/ -- In alignment with the current ACC and AHA guidelines on peripheral arterial disease (PAD) management, Omron Healthcare recently introduced the VP-Series, a non-invasive vascular profiling system, capable of measuring Ankle Brachial Index (ABI)(i), Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV)(ii) and Augmentation Index (AI)(iii), at the American College of Cardiology's 2006 Scientific Sessions in Atlanta, GA. Designed with cutting edge technology, the system provides physicians with accurate and easy-to-use non-invasive tools for cardiovascular disease diagnosis and management.

Early detection of cardiovascular disease will enable physicians to treat patients earlier and more effectively, therefore improving patient quality of life. The VP-Series uses patented Waveform Analysis and Vascular Evaluation (WAVE) technology to enable accurate test results to achieve this goal. The VP-Series includes the VP-1000 and its more enhanced sister model, the VP- 2000.

The VP-1000 ensures accurate and reliable ABI results by utilizing advanced oscillometric technology that includes simultaneous blood pressure measurements at all four limbs, a dual chamber cuff system and a proprietary algorithm. Studies have shown that the VP-1000 produces ABI results that are highly correlated with that from the Doppler method, even in patients with arterial obstructions. The VP-1000 also measures PWV, which is an index of arterial stiffness. Both ABI and PWV are proven indicators for cardiovascular events.

According to the American Heart Association, over 70 million Americans have one or more forms of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, as many as 8-12 million Americans have PAD. Nearly 75 percent of these do not have any symptoms and many people mistake the symptoms of PAD for something else. James Li, general manager of business development at Omron Healthcare says, "Left untreated, PAD can lead to gangrene and amputation. Early PAD diagnosis is important for effective treatment. The VP-1000 can be readily used in general practice to promote early PAD detection due to its accuracy and ease of use."

In December of 2005, the pandemic nature of PAD led the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) to release groundbreaking Peripheral Arterial Disease Management Guidelines to help physicians and all healthcare professionals better treat this alarmingly common condition. The PAD Guidelines strongly emphasize the fact that early detection and treatment of PAD can prevent disability and save lives.

"The VP-1000 was designed not only to provide valuable, new cardiovascular information, but also to do it in a simple, user-friendly way," said Li, Omron Healthcare, Inc. "From its mobile and ergonomic design, automatic blood pressure measurement and ABI calculation, to simple set-up and short operation time, everything has been designed for convenience, simplicity and reliability which is highly valued in clinical settings."

The VP-2000, the enhanced model, has advanced multi-element micro sensors for measuring pulse waves based on tonometry at the carotid and femoral arteries. It can provide more specific arterial information of the central vasculature through carotid-femoral PWV and carotid AI.

The VP-Series has clinical applications in screening, diagnostics and monitoring a variety of conditions, including hypertension, peripheral arterial disease, renal disease and diabetes.

About Omron Healthcare, Inc.

Omron Healthcare, Inc. is the North American subsidiary of Omron Healthcare, Co. Ltd., the world's leading manufacturer and distributor of blood pressure monitors for home use. Omron Healthcare, Inc. also provides products for respiratory ailments, weight management, and thermometry. Omron Healthcare, Inc. is headquartered in Bannockburn, Ill., a northern suburb of Chicago, with offices in Ontario, Canada, servicing Canadian customers. Omron Healthcare is committed to providing advanced, high-quality professional medical and home healthcare products. For more information, visit http://www.omronhealthcare.com .

(i) Ankle Brachial Index is the ratio of ankle to brachial systolic blood pressure. It is used to aid in the detection of arterial occlusions. (ii) Pulse wave velocity is the speed of the blood pressure wave to travel a given distance between two sites of the artery system. It is an index of arterial stiffness. (iii) Augmentation Index is the ratio of the augmented pressure to the pulse pressure. It is an index of arterial stiffness and wave reflection. Contacts: Kazuko Kuriyama Omron Healthcare, Inc. (847) 247-5637 kazuko.kuriyama@omron.com Lila Trickle Edelman (312) 233-1218 Lila.trickle@edelman.com

CONTACT: Kazuko Kuriyama of Omron Healthcare, Inc., +1-847-247-5637,kazuko.kuriyama@omron.com ; or, Lila Trickle of Edelman, +1-312-233-1218,Lila.trickle@edelman.com

Web site: http://www.omronhealthcare.com/