AtriCure,
Inc. (Nasdaq:
ATRC), is partnering with leading atrial fibrillation (Afib) centers
and thought leaders across Europe to provide best-in-class training on
surgical ablation. The launch of an international Maze IV Training
program will take place on October 1 in Germany at Sana Stuttgart
Cardiac Surgery Center, one of six initial European hospitals selected
to participate in this important initiative. This initial course will be
led by surgeons recognized as experts in the field of surgical treatment
for Afib. They include:
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James L. Cox, MD, professor of cardiac surgery at Washington
University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Dr. Cox is
recognized as the innovator of the Maze procedure and is primarily
responsible for its origins in cardiac surgery.
-
Kai-Nicolas Doll, MD, chief of cardiac surgery at Sana Cardiac Surgery
Center in Stuttgart, Germany.
-
Timo Weimar, MD, cardiac surgeon at Sana Cardiac Surgery Center in
Stuttgart, Germany and international medical director of AtriCure.
Performed by a cardiothoracic surgeon, the Maze IV procedure uses an
energy source to create a “maze” of scar tissue on the heart that helps
direct electrical impulses to restore the heart’s normal rhythm. The
procedure is performed using AtriCure’s Synergy Ablation System which is
CE Mark-approved for use in Europe. AtriCure’s System is the only device
shown to consistently cure Afib in the most rigorous and demanding
clinical trials.
"This is an extremely important initiative to ensure that patients who
are eligible for the Maze IV procedure receive it if they are undergoing
another heart procedure,” said Dr. Weimar. “It is a proven low risk,
high cure procedure. If more surgeons were trained on the proper
technique, we could make a significant impact in the incidence of Afib
among our patients.”
As part of this initiative, AtriCure has formed a MAZE IV European
Educational Steering Committee to include luminaries in the area of
surgical Afib ablation from the following centers: OLVG Amsterdam, UZ
Leuven Belgium; Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Spain; San Rafaelle
University Hospital, Milan, Italy; and The Royal College of Surgeons,
London, England.
“By increasing awareness and treatment, this program will launch a
greater effort and serve as a model for other programs we have underway
in a number of centers internationally,” said Dr. Doll. “Along with
AtriCure, we aim to curb the potentially devastating physical and
emotional impact Afib can have on families, and the financial burden on
society.”
Afib is the most common diagnosed arrhythmia, impacting 9.6 million
Europeans. People over the age of 40 have a one in four chance of
developing Afib in their lifetime, while those with Afib have a 500
percent greater risk of stroke, heart failure and reduced quality of
life than the general population.
“We are committed to reducing the global Afib epidemic and healing the
lives of those affected,” said Michael Carrel, president and CEO of
AtriCure. “This initiative is part of our core investment in education
and clinical science to bring better treatment options to patients in
more parts of the world.”
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