AtriCure,
Inc. (Nasdaq:
ATRC), a leading atrial fibrillation (Afib) solutions partner, has
announced a significant multi-year strategic investment in clinical
trial and educational initiatives aimed at reducing the global Afib
epidemic. The announcement coincides with Atrial Fibrillation Awareness
Month, which was created to bring attention to this growing public
health issue. Afib is associated with significant morbidity and
mortality from stroke and heart failure, as well as impaired quality of
life.
"This year, we reassert our aggressive efforts to collaborate with
leading electrophysiologists, cardiologists, and surgeons to find
long-lasting, evidenced-based solutions that are proven through rigorous
clinical trials,” said Michael Carrel, president and CEO of AtriCure.
“One in four Americans aged 40 or older will be diagnosed with Afib in
their lifetime. Without an urgent focus on raising awareness and
delivering effective and durable Afib solutions, the physical and
emotional impact on families, and the financial impact on society, will
be enormous. Our goal is to favorably impact the lives of 250,000
patients and their family members by the end of the decade through
greater awareness and treatment.”
To accomplish this goal AtriCure is making significant investments in
clinical science and physician education initiatives. The ABLATE PAS
study is the largest and most rigorous multi-centered surgical ablation
study ever attempted. It will build upon the success demonstrated in
AtriCure’s landmark FDA trial and further support the durability of the
Synergy Ablation System for the treatment of persistent and
long-standing persistent Afib. AtriCure’s Synergy Ablation System is
currently the only FDA-approved surgical device for the treatment of
Afib. As of this month, the ABLATE PAS study passed the halfway point in
patient enrollment and will continue to follow patients for three years
post procedure. Additionally, in an effort to ensure standardization of
the Maze IV procedure to achieve the highest possible quality outcomes,
AtriCure has provided in-depth surgeon education to over 1,000 surgeons.
In recognition that patient awareness is a key aspect of making an
impact on this healthcare epidemic, AtriCure has developed a new
campaign focused on Afib risk awareness and treatment options entitled, “ACT
Against Afib”. “ACT” is an acronym for the three steps involved in
patient awareness and understanding treatment options: Assess
your risk, Consult with your doctor,
and Treat your Afib. The campaign
will include advertising, press releases to the public, a website for
patients and physicians, media kits for hospitals and advocacy groups to
partner on the campaign and special events throughout the year.
“As a leader in the clinical research and treatment of Afib, we’re
all-too-familiar with its devastating effects, and the near epidemic
levels of people suffering from Afib. Our goal is to partner with
physicians to provide superior treatment options as well as to create
greater public awareness about this progressive disease and the options
available,” according to Sydney Gaynor, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon and
medical director at AtriCure. Further, “The ACT Against Afib
campaign is an excellent way to spread the word about the risks and
treatment options, and we encourage physicians to become involved
through the ACT campaign.”
About AtriCure, Inc.
AtriCure, Inc. is a leading atrial fibrillation solutions partner,
providing innovative products, professional education and support for
clinical science to reduce the economic and social burden of atrial
fibrillation. AtriCure's Synergy Ablation System is the first and only
device approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the
surgical treatment of Persistent and Longstanding Persistent forms of
Afib in patients undergoing certain open heart procedures concomitantly
(simultaneously). AtriCure's AtriClip™ Left Atrial Appendage (LAA)
occlusion device is the most widely implanted device for LAA management
worldwide. Afib affects more than two million people worldwide and is
estimated to cost more than $6.5 billion annually in healthcare
expenses. The number affected by Afib is expected to grow to 12 million
by 2050.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements include statements that address activities,
events or developments that AtriCure expects, believes or anticipates
will or may occur in the future, such as earnings estimates, other
predictions of financial performance, launches by AtriCure of new
products and market acceptance of AtriCure’s products. Forward-looking
statements are based on AtriCure’s experience and perception of current
conditions, trends, expected future developments and other factors it
believes are appropriate under the circumstances and are subject to
numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond AtriCure’s
control. These risks and uncertainties include the rate and degree of
market acceptance of AtriCure’s products, AtriCure’s ability to develop
and market new and enhanced products, the timing of and ability to
obtain and maintain regulatory clearances and approvals for its
products, the timing of and ability to obtain reimbursement of
procedures utilizing AtriCure’s products, competition from existing and
new products and procedures or AtriCure’s ability to effectively react
to other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in
AtriCure’s SEC filings, such as fluctuation of quarterly financial
results, reliance on third party manufacturers and suppliers, litigation
or other proceedings, government regulation and stock price volatility.
AtriCure does not guarantee any forward-looking statement, and actual
results may differ materially from those projected. AtriCure undertakes
no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Copyright Business Wire 2013