Volcano Expands Access to FFR with Ability to Integrate with the Majority of Hemodynamic Monitoring Systems

SAN DIEGO, March 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Volcano Corporation (Nasdaq: VOLC), a leading developer and manufacturer of precision intravascular therapy guidance tools designed to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of coronary and peripheral vascular disease, announced today its Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) technology can now integrate with the FFR modules of hemodynamic monitoring systems from GE, Siemens, McKesson, and Mennen.

"Utilization of Volcano's physiology (functional measurement) products has grown 79% in the last year, driven primarily by the landmark FAME data and recent elevation of the level of evidence for FFR in the ACC/AHA/SCAI PCI Guidelines to Level A," commented Scott Huennekens, President and CEO of Volcano. "The FAME study demonstrated a 34% reduction in death and myocardial infarction (MI), and a more than $2,000 reduction in costs for patients guided by FFR instead of angiography alone. This data has helped us place more than 1,200 FFR-capable consoles in the last 12 months, and further integration with hemodynamic systems will provide physicians and patients with more access to this proven technology."

Volcano's Smart Map® Pressure Instrument and PrimeWire® Pressure Guide Wire are now compatible with the majority of hemodynamic monitoring systems, making the benefits of FFR accessible to more clinicians and patients. Volcano's SmartMap will provide a pressure reading to GE Healthcare's Mac-Lab® XT and XTi hemodynamic recording systems version 6.8.1, Siemens' AXIOM Sensis XP VC11, McKesson's Horizon Cardiology™ Hemo version 12.1, and Mennen's Horizon XVu Hemodynamic Monitoring System.  With the pressure measurement derived from Volcano's PrimeWire®, hemodynamic monitoring systems have the ability to calculate the FFR gradient and display the FFR measurement on the hemodynamic screen in the cath lab.

Volcano offers the broadest physiology product portfolio in the market today. Volcano's s5i system, the only multi-modality system on the market, offers clinicians a choice of five modalities for assessment of lesion morphology and severity on a single platform: digital IVUS for fast plug and play imaging, high-frequency rotational IVUS for higher resolution, VH® IVUS for plaque characterization, ChromaFlo® for imaging blood flow, and FFR for physiological lesion assessment.

"Our message at Volcano is quite simple," added Mr. Huennekens. "Angiography alone is not enough, and tools such as FFR and IVUS are designed to better assess the therapeutic strategy and result. We don't favor one technology over another, but rather provide choice to physicians, as we are the only company that offers both FFR and IVUS. This level of integration with hemodynamic monitoring systems provides yet another example of choice for our customers. If you want full function, FFR, IVUS and VH™ IVUS integration, we offer the s5i multi-modality integrated console. If you want to start your integration path with FFR alone, then we offer the SmartMap® Pressure instrument that is now compatible with numerous hemodynamic system models. We provide the choice that is right for each individual lab, and then focus our efforts on training and educating our customers to take full advantage of an integrated lab workflow."

About Volcano Corporation

Volcano Corporation offers a broad suite of devices designed to facilitate endovascular procedures, enhance the diagnosis of vascular and structural heart disease and guide optimal therapies. The company's intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) product line includes ultrasound consoles that can be integrated directly into virtually any modern cath lab. Volcano IVUS offers unique features, including both single-use digital and rotational IVUS imaging catheters, and advanced functionality options, such as VH® IVUS tissue characterization and ChromaFlo®. Volcano also provides functional measurement (FM) consoles and single-use pressure and flow guide wires and is developing a line of ultra-high resolution Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) systems and catheters. Currently, more than 5,000 Volcano IVUS and FM systems are installed worldwide, with approximately half of its revenues coming from outside the United States. Volcano's wholly-owned subsidiary, Axsun Technologies, develops and manufactures optical monitors, lasers and optical engines used in telecommunications, medical imaging, spectroscopy and other industrial applications. For more information, visit the company's website at www.volcanocorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements in this release regarding Volcano's business that are not historical facts may be considered "forward-looking statements," including statements regarding the potential benefits of the products and procedures described above, results and implications of the data from the FAME trial, commercial release and market adoption of the company's technology, and the impact of clinical and other technical data. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current preliminary expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause Volcano's results to differ materially and adversely from the statements contained herein. Some of the potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the results predicted are detailed in the company's annual report on Form 10-K and other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date they are made. Volcano undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date they are made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

SOURCE Volcano Corporation