Dr. Mahesh Ramchandani Performs Multi-Vessel Minimally-Invasive Cardiac Bypass Surgery Using Automated Stapling Devices

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. and HOUSTON, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Nationally-renowned cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon Mahesh Ramchandani, M.D. of the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center in Houston is innovating minimally-invasive cardiac surgery using Cardica, Inc.'s (Nasdaq: CRDC) C-Port® Distal Anastomosis and PAS-Port® Proximal Anastomosis Systems. Dr. Ramchandani offers patients an alternative to traditional "open chest" bypass procedures without cutting the sternum using the minimally-invasive cardiac surgery/coronary artery bypass graft (MICS CABG).

"MICS is not just a surgical procedure, it is an attitude towards minimally-invasive cardiac surgery, taking a logical, structured, step-wise approach with patient safety as its paramount concern," said Dr. Ramchandani. "In addition to the reduced operating time, faster recovery and overall improved patient outcomes associated with minimally invasive procedures, using the automated connector device allows me to perform  multi-vessel cardiac bypass surgery with reliable and consistent anastomoses on patients who benefit tremendously from a minimally-invasive approach."

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is performed to restore blood flow through the vessels that supply blood to the heart. During the surgery, a small part of a blood vessel is taken from another area of the body, usually a vein from the leg, and surgically attached across an area of severe narrowing or blockage, thus bypassing the problem area. The blood is rerouted through the healthy vessel, and blood flow is restored to the heart muscle.  

About the MICS CABG Procedure

During a MICS CABG procedure, Dr. Ramchandani attaches the bypass grafts through a small incision through the ribcage, without cutting the sternum. Dr. Ramchandani performs multi-vessel bypass procedures on a beating heart by using Cardica's anastomosis devices to attach the vessels quickly and consistently. Patients undergoing MICS CABG procedures may be discharged 2 to 3 days following surgery with no driving restrictions, and often return to normal activity levels within 1 to 2 weeks.

Conventional "open heart" CABG surgeries are performed by cutting the sternum and placing the patient on a heart-lung machine to operate on the coronary arteries while the heart is stopped. Patients who receive open heart CABG procedures stay in the hospital an average of 5-9 days, and it can take up to two months for the patient to return to normal activity.

Dr. Ramchandani is using Cardica's C-Port® Distal Anastomosis and PAS-Port® Proximal Anastomosis Systems to perform the connection of blood vessels (known as anastomoses) during CABG surgery, replacing hand-sewn sutures. The reliable, automated connection of the vessels is particularly useful for accessing difficult to reach target vessels. Anastomoses are often considered the most critical step of the CABG procedure. Cardica's PAS-Port system attaches the bypass graft to the aorta, upstream of the occlusion, while Cardica's C-Port® Distal Anastomosis Systems connect the bypass graft to coronary arteries downstream of the occlusion. A triple bypass procedure, for example, requires up to five anastomoses. Now, in many instances, all connections could be performed using Cardica's PAS-Port and C-Port anastomosis systems.

About Cardica

Cardica designs and manufactures proprietary stapling and anastomotic devices for cardiac and endoscopic surgical procedures. Cardica's technology portfolio is intended to minimize operating time and enable minimally-invasive and robot-assisted surgeries. Cardica manufactures and markets its automated anastomosis systems, the C-Port® Distal Anastomosis Systems and PAS-Port® Proximal Anastomosis System, for CABG surgery and has shipped over 30,000 units throughout the world. In addition, Cardica is developing the Cardica Microcutter ES8, a true multi-fire endoscopic stapling device designed to be used in a variety of procedures, including bariatric, thoracic and general surgery.  

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking" statements, including all statements regarding the potential benefits of using Cardica's proximal and distal anastomosis systems. Any statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. The words "can," "may," "could," 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 that patient outcomes are variable and may not reflect results demonstrated in the study and that Cardica's current and any future products may never gain any significant degree of market acceptance, as well as other risks detailed from time to time in Cardica's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2010. Cardica expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein. You are encouraged to read Cardica's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, available at www.sec.gov.

SOURCE Cardica, Inc.