CardioFocus HeartLight® Data to be Presented at ESC Congress 2012

MARLBOROUGH, Mass., Aug. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- CardioFocus, Inc., developer of the HeartLight® Endoscopic Ablation System (EAS) for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF), announces that its technology will be highlighted in two presentations during the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2012, in Munich, Germany, August 25-29. In addition, the technology will be featured at an evening academic symposium, where cardiology thought leaders will discuss their experiences with the HeartLight system.

Stephen Sagon, President and CEO of CardioFocus, said, "The findings presented at this meeting examine the use of our technology in the treatment of AF, spanning topics regarding pulmonary vein isolation, long-term treatment durability, and clinical outcomes with HeartLight directly compared to other systems. These data derive from the experiences of prominent electrophysiology experts across the world, and we expect that the results will continue to substantiate the clinical utility, as well as encourage expanded commercial use of the system."

The HeartLight system will be discussed during the "Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: New Tools" session on Sunday, August 26 at 2 p.m. in the following presentations: 

P1490: Pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with the laser balloon
Authors: L Sediva, J Petru, J Skoda, M Janotka, M Chovanec and P Neuzil of Na Homolce Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic
Presentation will review chronic outcomes of HeartLight EAS cases performed during the preceding three years at Na Homolce Hospital

P1493: Laser or Cryo? Prospective comparison of balloon based PVI technologies
Authors: S Bordignon, KRJ Chun, M Gunawardene, M Kulikoglu, V Urban, B Schulte-Hahn, B Nowak and B Schmidt of Cardioangiologisches Centrum Bethanien, Frankfurt, Germany
Presentation will discuss outcomes with two balloon-based pulmonary vein isolation technologies, including HeartLight EAS

The HeartLight Symposium will take place Monday, August 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the Bayerischer Hof Hotel, and will be chaired by Prof. Thorsten Lewalter, MD, of the Isar Heart Center in Munich and Prof. Petr Neuzil, MD, of Na Homolce Hospital. It will feature multicenter data on the durability of pulmonary vein isolation with the HeartLight system, a discussion of outcomes with different balloon catheter technologies, as well as presentations evaluating safety and efficacy in AF ablation.

The HeartLight EAS is the first catheter ablation technology that incorporates an endoscope for direct visualization of the inside of the heart and a compliant, dynamically adjustable balloon catheter designed for improved contact with the area surrounding the pulmonary veins irrespective of the individual patient anatomy. It also utilizes laser energy for more efficient and precise ablation treatment. 

For more information on the HeartLight Symposium or the technology, please visit www.CardioFocus.com.

About CardioFocus, Inc.
CardioFocus, Inc. is a medical device manufacturer dedicated to advancing ablation treatment for cardiac disorders such as atrial fibrillation (AF). Its novel HeartLight® Endoscopic Ablation System for catheter ablation incorporates an endoscope to provide physicians with the capacity to see within the heart, and for the first time, visually direct the application of laser energy to achieve durable pulmonary vein isolation.

The HeartLight Endoscopic Ablation System is commercially available at leading institutions throughout Europe and in Australia. The device is investigational in the U.S., and currently the focus of a pivotal trial initiated in 2012. CardioFocus is headquartered in Marlborough, MA, USA.  For more information on the company and its technology, please visit www.CardioFocus.com.

The scientific information discussed in this news release is preliminary and investigative. The CardioFocus HeartLight Endoscopic Ablation System is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and no conclusions can or should be drawn regarding the safety or effectiveness of the system. Only FDA can determine whether the product candidates are safe and effective for the use(s) being investigated. Healthcare professionals should refer to/rely upon FDA-approved labeling for the products, and not the information discussed in this news release.

SOURCE CardioFocus, Inc.