REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Nov. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cardica, Inc. today announced that Husam H. Balkhy, M.D., Chairman of the Department of Cardiac Surgery Wisconsin Heart Hospital, presented data evaluating the patency, or openness, of bypass grafts connecting the internal mammary artery (IMA) to the left anterior descending (LAD) artery using the C-Port(R) xA or Flex A Distal Anastomosis Systems during off-pump, beating heart coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. This was the first time that data has been presented showing patency rates of the C-Port systems attaching the IMA to the LAD, often considered the optimal or ideal connection for coronary revascularization. We believe that this data is important for the adoption of minimally invasive coronary artery bypass procedures, using both robotic, utilizing the Intuitive Surgical da Vinci(R) Surgical System, and non-robotic techniques. The IMA is the primary bypass graft used in these procedures and this data further validates the C-Port’s safety and efficacy in creating this bypass.
The presentation was made last week at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions meeting in Orlando, FL.
“The use of the C-Port xA and Flex A devices is facilitating minimally invasive, sternum-sparing bypass procedures,” said Dr. Balkhy. “The consistent and reproducible anastomoses generated using the C-Port systems coupled with the resulting compliant connection give me great confidence in the long-term viability of these grafts. Furthermore, whether operating on- or off- pump, the C-Port anastomosis systems offer surgeons unique access to a wide range of coronaries, especially particularly small coronaries, which have been difficult to bypass in the past. With the C-Port Flex A, we can reach areas of the heart that are often very difficult to hand-sew during beating heart procedures.”
The study found that 24 of 25 grafts of internal mammary arteries connected to LAD arteries were open, or patent, after the specified follow-up period as determined by 64-slice multidetector computed tomography. Ten grafts were evaluated at 30 or more days, with the remaining 15 grafts assessed at 90 or more days.
About the C-Port xA and Flex A Anastomosis Systems
Cardica’s C-Port systems are designed to enable automated, reliable and reproducible connections of blood vessels during CABG surgery. Unlike most hand-sewn anastomoses, Cardica’s C-Port systems enable a compliant anastomosis that can expand and contract with blood-flow. The C-Port xA and Flex A systems are designed to deploy staples around the periphery of the anastomosis to help provide leak-proof sealing without the need for additional stitches at either end of the anastomosis; and can be used in either on- or off-pump CABG procedures. The C-Port Flex A system features several innovative modifications to Cardica’s C-Port xA system. The C-Port Flex A system has a flexible, rather than rigid, shaft and is designed to create compliant anastomoses in vessels as small as one millimeter in internal diameter. Importantly, the flexible shaft is designed to allow surgeons to position the device to create a secure connection even in difficult to reach areas of the heart.
About Cardica
Cardica is a leading provider of automated anastomosis systems for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. By replacing hand-sewn sutures with easy-to-use automated systems, Cardica provides cardiovascular surgeons with rapid, reliable and consistently reproducible anastomoses, or connections of blood vessels, often considered the most critical aspect of the CABG procedure. Cardica’s C-Port(R) Distal Anastomosis Systems are marketed in Europe and the United States. The PAS-Port(R) Proximal Anastomosis System is marketed in Europe and Japan and is being evaluated in a pivotal trial in the United States and Europe. Cardica also is developing additional devices with Cook Incorporated to facilitate vascular closure and other surgical procedures.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking” statements, including statements relating to the commercial adoption of Cardica’s C-Port systems and the long-term viability of anastomoses created with C-Port systems. Any statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. The word “believe” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause Cardica’s results to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements, including risks associated with market acceptance of Cardica’s C-Port systems, manufacturing of the C-Port systems and Cardica’s sales, marketing and distribution strategy and capabilities, as well as other risks detailed from time to time in Cardica’s SEC reports, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2007. Cardica does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements. You are encouraged to read the Company’s reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, available at http://www.sec.gov.
CONTACT: Bob Newell, Vice President, Finance and Operations, Chief
Financial Officer of Cardica, Inc., +1-650-331-7133, investors@cardica.com
or Daryl Messinger of WeissComm Partners, Inc., +1-415-999-2361,
daryl@weisscommpartners.com
