MONTREAL, June 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - CryoCath® Technologies Inc., the global leader in cryotherapy products to treat cardiac arrhythmias, today announced the introduction of Arctic Front® in Italy, Belgium and Spain. Arctic Front, the Company’s lead product for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), is a unique cryoablation balloon catheter that allows physicians to safely and effectively isolate all four pulmonary veins for the treatment of PAF.
“The introduction of Arctic Front in Italy, Belgium and Spain provides us with an exciting opportunity to deliver the benefits of our breakthrough therapy to a larger patient population and drive one of our key corporate goals of explosive and profitable revenue growth in Europe,” said Jan Keltjens, President and CEO of CryoCath. “As was the case in Australia and Hong Kong, the European medical community has demonstrated great confidence in Arctic Front based on its growing body of clinical evidence. By expanding our already strong presence in Europe, we are continuing to drive the adoption of our Arctic Front system worldwide.”
Prof. Dr. Claudio Tondo, Chief of the Cardiology Division and Director of the Cardiac Arrhythmia and Heart Failure Research Institute at the San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital in Rome, Italy performed the first procedures with Arctic Front in Italy on June 9, 2008. Dr. Tondo will provide leadership for the program in Italy, the second largest electrophysiology market in continental Europe.
“Arctic Front represents a step forward in the ablative strategies for atrial fibrillation. The cryoballoon from CryoCath offers a safe and effective approach favoring a substantial reduction of x-ray exposure time and, without the need to carry out a double transseptal puncture,” said Dr. Tondo. “The cryo technology represents an effective alternative to radiofrequency energy for safety reasons, prompting the extension of the ablative treatment to a larger population of patients suffering from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. We are looking forward to a strong contribution towards expanding the use of the cryo technology in the ablation of atrial fibrillation.”
The first Arctic Front procedures in Belgium were performed in May 2008 by Prof. Dr. Pedro Brugada, Head of the Heart Rhythm Management Centre, UZ Brussel - Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Dr. Gian Battista Chierchia, Director Atrial Fibrillation and Pacing Program. Drs. Brugada and Chierchia have treated four patients in Brussels to date.
“We see great promise in the procedural simplicity of the Arctic Front System. The cryoballoon’s innovative shape facilitates anatomical placement in the atrium at the ostium of the targeted pulmonary vein,” said Dr. Brugada. “By its very design, the Arctic Front catheter simplifies the ablation of pulmonary veins and may reduce procedural time in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, in turn offering greater comfort for the patient and operator alike.”
Prof. Dr. Julian Villacastin and his team at Hospital Clinico San Carlos in Madrid, Spain have treated two patients since first using Arctic Front on June 24, 2008. The patients treated to date have had successful outcomes and no safety concerns have been reported. “We were very pleased with the ease of use afforded by the cryoballoon, its simplicity and the success with our first patients. We were particularly impressed with the spontaneous termination of the patient’s atrial fibrillation during the cryoablation and return of sinus rhythm,” said, Dr. Villacastin.
About Arctic Front
Arctic Front is a minimally invasive cryo-balloon catheter designed specifically to treat paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation. This bi-directional, double balloon catheter enables physicians to rapidly isolate all four pulmonary veins for the treatment of AFib. More than 2,600 patients have been treated in more than 45 centres across Europe.
About CryoCath
CryoCath - www.cryocath.com - is a medical technology company that leads the world in cryotherapy products to treat cardiac arrhythmias. With a priority focus on providing physicians with a complete solution of catheter products to treat cardiac arrhythmias, CryoCath has multiple products approved in the U.S., across Europe and several ROW countries. The Company is developing additional products to expand its pipeline of products to treat cardiac arrhythmias.
This press release includes “forward looking statements” that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including with respect to the timing of regulatory trials and their outcome. For information identifying legislative or regulatory, economic, currency, technological, competitive and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward looking statements, see CryoCath’s annual report available at www.sedar.com under the heading Risks and Uncertainties in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis section.
Source: CryoCath Technologies Inc.