EP News

Boston Scientific Closes Cameron Health Acquisition

Boston Scientific Corporation has closed its acquisition of Cameron Health, Inc. of San Clemente, California, and, as a result, added to its product portfolio the world’s first and only commercially available subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator, called the S-ICD^® System. The acquisition is the capstone of a nearly 10-year relationship between the two companies during which Boston Scientific invested in Cameron Health during its groundbreaking research and product commercialization efforts. Developed by Cameron Health, the entire S-ICD System sits just below the skin. This leaves the heart and blood vessels untouched, offering patients an alternative to conventional transvenous ICDs, which require thin, insulated leads to be placed into the heart itself.

“We are pleased to complete the acquisition of Cameron Health, furthering Boston Scientific’s commitment to introducing innovation in the CRM space,” said Hank Kucheman, chief executive officer at Boston Scientific. “Boston Scientific now provides physicians and their patients with an option to choose either the industry’s thinnest, longest-lasting transvenous ICD or the world’s first and only commercially available completely subcutaneous ICD.”

“We believe that the combination of Cameron Health’s breakthrough technology and Boston Scientific’s already strong arrhythmia management product portfolio and commercial capabilities will help unlock the enormous potential of the S-ICD System,” said Kevin Hykes, former chief executive officer of Cameron Health, who will continue to lead the S-ICD team at Boston Scientific. “Equally exciting is the promise of next-generation subcutaneous technology that we expect will continue to expand the reach of ICD therapy to more patients.”   

At the recent Heart Rhythm Society’s 33rd Annual Scientific Sessions in Boston, Cameron Health announced initial results from the international “Evaluation oF FactORs ImpacTing CLinical Outcome and Cost EffectiveneSS (EFFORTLESS) Subcutaneous Implantable Defibrillator Registry” study that showed the S-ICD System is performing appropriately in real-world circumstances and continues to demonstrate positive results in a study of 230 patients. Cameron Health also announced at the conference that the S-ICD System met the primary safety and efficacy endpoints defined in their 330-patient IDE clinical study. The patient population in the IDE study patient population closely mirrored real-world populations with transvenous ICDs, demonstrating that the S-ICD System is an important new treatment option for a wide range of primary and secondary prevention patients. In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Circulatory System Devices Panel recommended approval of the S-ICD System in April of 2012. FDA approval is expected in the first half of 2013. The S-ICD System received CE Mark in 2009 and is commercially available in many countries in Europe, as well as New Zealand. To date, more than 1,300 devices have been implanted in patients around the world.

In countries where it is approved, the S-ICD System establishes a new class of protection from sudden cardiac arrest that offers physicians more options in how to best treat their patients. While it provides the same defibrillation protection of transvenous ICDs, the S-ICD System also preserves the patient’s venous system, which may be advantageous to many patients.

Transaction Details

The transaction follows Boston Scientific’s exercise of its option to acquire Cameron Health announced on March 8, 2012. Under the terms of the agreement, Boston Scientific paid $150 million at closing. The agreement calls for an additional potential payment of $150 million to be made upon FDA approval of the S-ICD System and up to an additional $1.050 billion of potential payments to be made upon the achievement of specified revenue-based criteria over a six-year period following FDA approval. The company currently expects the transaction to be approximately $0.01 dilutive in 2012 and approximately break-even in 2013 to earnings per share on an adjusted basis and more dilutive in both years on a GAAP basis as a result of acquisition-related net charges and amortization, which will be determined following the closing.

The S-ICD^® System is an investigational device and limited under U.S. law to investigational use only, and is not available for sale in the U.S.

Endosense Completes Enrollment in TOCCASTAR IDE Study of Its TactiCath^® Force-Sensing Ablation Catheter

Endosense, a pioneer and leader in force-sensing technology focused on improving the efficacy and safety of catheter ablation for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, has announced enrollment completion in the TOCCASTAR clinical study. TOCCASTAR is a prospective, randomized, multi-center investigational device exemption (IDE) trial designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the company’s TactiCath force-sensing ablation catheter in patients with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).

TOCCASTAR study investigators enrolled 300 patients at 17 centers across the United States and Europe. All patients were randomized on a one-to-one basis for treatment with the TactiCath or a control radiofrequency catheter approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating paroxysmal AF.

The TOCCASTAR study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the TactiCath based on 12-month follow-up data from the index procedure. The primary effectiveness endpoint is a non-inferiority comparison of treatment success as defined by both acute procedural success and chronic freedom from symptomatic paroxysmal AF, atrial tachycardia and atrial flutter; the safety endpoint is a non-inferiority comparison of early onset device-related serious adverse events. Secondary endpoints include a superiority comparison of procedural effectiveness related to the use of the contact-force sensor.

“Contact-force sensing in the context of a radiofrequency ablation catheter represents a significant enhancement to the tools available to electrophysiologists treating AF. The idea that we can deliver intra-cardiac lesions will full knowledge of the quality of the electrode-tissue interface is very appealing,” said Dr. Vivek Reddy, TOCCASTAR principal investigator and director of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, The Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York. “When complete, TOCCASTAR will provide the first randomized comparison of treatment safety and success between a conventional radiofrequency catheter and one with contact-force sensing capability. Through the use of this important diagnostic feature, we are gaining singular insights into the challenges and techniques that define optimal cardiac ablation therapy.”

Endosense expects to use the results of the TOCCASTAR study to support a Premarket Approval Application (PMA) to the FDA in the third quarter of 2013.

“The completion of enrollment in TOCCASTAR is an exciting milestone that not only puts Endosense closer towards our goal of offering contact-force sensing to U.S. electrophysiologists and their AF patients, but also further cements Endosense’s leadership in the field,” said Hendrik Lambert, vice president of clinical affairs at Endosense. “We are grateful to our investigator group and external support teams for their enthusiasm and commitment to ensuring the highest study standards. We look forward to completing follow-up and reporting on the outcome of this landmark trial and to the potential of expanding commercialization of the TactiCath worldwide.”

Caution: In the United States, the TactiCath is an investigational device. Limited by Federal (or United States) law to investigational use.

Study Confirms the Value of Cambridge Heart’s MTWA Test as a Predictor of Life-Threatening Cardiac Events

Cambridge Heart, Inc., a developer of non-invasive diagnostic tests for cardiac disease, announced that results of a prospective, 155-patient trial reinforce the value of the Microvolt T-Wave Alternans^™ (MTWA) test as a predictor of life-threatening heart rhythms and sudden cardiac death (SCD). The results were published in the journal Kardiologia Polska.

Researchers from the Medical University of Silesia in Zabrze, Poland studied 155 patients who received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) for secondary prevention of SCD. Patients underwent MTWA testing using Cambridge Heart’s analytic spectral method prior to implantation and were followed for major arrhythmic cardiac events (MACE) including SCD or intractable life-threatening arrhythmias requiring ablation or heart transplant.

At a median follow-up time of 22 months, patients with an abnormal MTWA test were 11 times more likely to experience a major arrhythmic cardiac event than patients with a normal MTWA result. The negative predictive value was 98.6 percent, indicating that patients with a normal or negative MTWA test are at very low risk of experiencing life-threatening arrhythmias.

“The most important finding of our study was that abnormal MTWA was demonstrated to be a strong, independent risk factor for MACE following ICD implantation,” said Dr. Beata Sredniawa, lead author of the study. “These results suggest that standardized MTWA evaluation can be useful for risk stratification in clinical practice.”

“This exciting new published data is an important addition to an already extensive body of literature supporting the clinical role of MTWA in managing patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest,” said Ali Haghighi-Mood, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cambridge Heart. “These results are significant in that they confirm the prognostic value of MTWA in predicting arrhythmic events that are truly life-threatening.”

Cambridge Heart addresses a key problem in cardiac diagnosis — the identification of those at risk of sudden cardiac death. Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) accounts for approximately one-fourth of all cardiac deaths, or approximately 300,000 deaths, in the United States each year — more than lung cancer, breast cancer and HIV/AIDS combined. Out-of-hospital survival is less than 8 percent, making prediction and prevention critically important. It is estimated that there are approximately 10 to 12 million heart attack and heart failure patients in the U.S. who can benefit from annual MTWA testing. MTWA is a marker of SCA risk which is measured during a non-invasive treadmill test using Cambridge Heart’s proprietary technologies. The company’s MTWA test is the only one of its kind that is reimbursed by Medicare under a National Coverage Policy.

Europe’s Leading Congresses in Cardiac Electrophysiology Agree to Consolidate Their Events and Develop a Common Scientific Program Each Year

Cardiostim and EHRA-Europace, Europe’s leading congresses in electrophysiology and the treatment of heart rhythm disorders, have formed a strategic alliance to ensure the development from year to year of a homogeneous congress program devised under the direction of a common scientific committee.

Cardiostim and the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) have had an agreement since 2006 whereby each organization held their respective congresses in alternating years — Cardiostim in “even” years, and Europace in “odd”. That arrangement will continue under the new agreement, but now with further scope for consistency, integration and homogeneity. Both organizations share a wish to avoid fragmentation and create a common vision and objective — to promote the field of electrophysiology in terms of training and accreditation, research, the exchange of clinical skills and cooperation with allied professionals and manufacturers.

Under the agreement, both congresses will retain their independence in terms of brand, ownership and finance, but will join forces in the planning and preparation of scientific content. The agreement aims to reinforce the quality of each congress and provide a scientific continuum from one event to the next. Currently, each congress attracts almost 6,000 participants.

The agreement between the two organizations is for six years, from 2012 to 2017 inclusive; years 2012 and 2013 are seen as transition years in which Cardiostim and EHRA-Europace will retain their respective congress rules and structures. However, from 2014 a single common scientific committee, composed of and chaired by members of each organization, will develop the scientific program and the two congresses will aggregate their names.

Each program will be built around four main themes: electrophysiology and catheter ablation, devices for the management of heart rhythm and heart failure, non-invasive approaches to rhythm disturbances, and basic science. Abstracts selected for inclusion will be published in the Europace-EHRA journal.

Commenting on the agreement, Professor Panos Vardas, President of the European Heart Rhythm Association, said, “The EHRA is the indisputable European leader in the management of cardiac arrhythmias and we have entered this agreement with Cardiostim in the belief that together we can create a highly successful congress driven by a common program committee. We believe that this strategic decision — which took two years of discussion to reach — will be welcomed by the majority of European arrhythmologists.”

Dr. Philippe Ritter, Chairman of Cardiostim, said, “This agreement is an historic event for the European electrophysiology community. Highly supported by the industry, this strategic alliance is the continuation of a rapprochement which started in 2006. Respectful of both organizations, it should now allow us to jointly accelerate the development of our congresses, as international congresses open to doctors and scientists from all over the world.”

RE-LY Sub-Analysis Suggests Pradaxa^® (dabigatran etexilate mesylate) Associated with Similar Bleeding Rates and Thromboembolic Complications in Surgery Versus Warfarin

A new retrospective sub-analysis of the RE-LY^® trial suggested similar rates of peri-procedural bleeding and thromboembolic complications, such as a stroke or systemic embolism, in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients undergoing a surgical or invasive procedure treated with Pradaxa^® (dabigatran etexilate mesylate) capsules 150mg taken twice daily compared to warfarin. The peri-procedural period was defined in this sub-analysis as seven days prior to a procedure until 30 days afterwards. Results were published online first in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

In the sub-analysis, there were similar rates of bleeding between treatment groups in those undergoing urgent surgery, despite the fact that a specific reversal agent for PRADAXA is not available. Warfarin-treated patients could have received reversal therapy, such as vitamin K or fresh-frozen plasma.

“Interrupting anticoagulation for any reason increases the risk of stroke and embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and a patient’s length of time off treatment should be minimized,” said John Smith, MD, PhD, senior vice president for clinical development and medical affairs, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. “In this sub-analysis, nearly half of patients receiving PRADAXA 150mg underwent surgery within two days of interrupting treatment, compared to 11 percent of patients on warfarin.”

Over a two-year period, a total of 4,591 out of 18,113 patients in the RE-LY trial had oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy interrupted at least once to have surgery or an invasive procedure with similar distribution across treatment arms. The sub-analysis suggests similar rates of peri-procedural major bleeding (the primary bleeding outcome) between patients receiving PRADAXA 150mg versus warfarin (5.1% vs. 4.6%, respectively; RR=1.09, 95% CI: 0.80-1.49). Additionally, patients treated with PRADAXA 150mg who discontinued treatment within 24 to 48 hours prior to surgery showed nearly three times lower rates of major bleeding compared to warfarin (3.3% vs. 9.0%; RR=0.36, 95% CI: 0.16-0.82).

“Since physicians are accustomed to having a reversal agent for warfarin and the RE-LY trial was conducted without one for PRADAXA, we felt it was important to review and evaluate the data in patients requiring surgery, particularly urgent surgeries,” said Paul A. Reilly, PhD, clinical program director, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and an author of the sub-analysis. “These findings suggest that in patients requiring invasive procedures, including urgent surgery, the risk of bleeding and thromboembolic complications are similar between PRADAXA and warfarin.”

Additional findings of the sub-analysis include:

• Rates of thromboembolic events were low and similar between PRADAXA 150mg and warfarin; these included stroke (0.5% vs. 0.6%, respectively; RR=0.71, 95% CI: 0.27-1.85), cardiovascular death (0.5% vs. 0.5%; RR=1.01, 95% CI: 0.35-2.96), systemic embolism (0.1% vs. 0.1%; RR=1.01, 95% CI: 0.06-16.1), myocardial infarction (0.5% vs. 0.3%; RR=1.61, 95% CI: 0.53-4.92) or pulmonary embolism (0.1% vs. 0.2%; RR=0.67, 95% CI: 0.11-4.02). The composite rate of thromboembolic events for PRADAXA 150mg vs. warfarin was 1.5 percent and 1.2 percent, respectively; RR=1.29, 95% CI: 0.70-2.38.
• The results for other bleeding outcomes in patients who interrupted anticoagulation due to surgery for PRADAXA 150mg vs. warfarin included: minor (9.0% vs. 7.8%, respectively; RR=1.15, 95% CI: 0.91-1.45), fatal (0.1% vs. 0.1%; RR=1.01, 95% CI: 0.14-7.15), bleeding requiring re-operation (1.4% vs. 1.0%, RR=1.39, 95% CI: 0.73-2.63) and bleeding requiring transfusion of red blood cells (3.5% vs. 4.0%, RR=0.86, 95% CI: 0.60-1.23).
• The rates of major bleeding in other patient subgroups also were consistent with the primary outcome of major bleeding for PRADAXA 150mg vs. warfarin, including urgent surgery (17.7% vs. 21.6%; RR=0.82, 95% CI: 0.50-1.35); elective surgery (3.8% vs. 3.3%; RR=1.14, 95% CI: 0.77-1.67); major surgery (6.5% vs. 7.8%; RR=0.82, 95% CI: 0.53-1.29) and minor surgery (3.2% vs. 1.8%; RR=1.75, 95% CI: 0.74-4.14).
• The rates of major bleeding by timing of treatment discontinuation prior to surgery for PRADAXA 150mg vs. warfarin included: less than 24 hours (6.8% vs. 15.4%;  RR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.21-0.92), 24 to 48 hours (3.3% vs. 9.0%; RR=0.36, 95% CI: 0.16-0.82), 48 to 72 hours (4.5% vs. 5.7%; RR=0.79, 95% CI: 0.33-1.91), and more than 72 hours (6.2% vs. 3.6%; RR=1.70, 95% CI: 1.08-2.68).
• In the pivotal RE-LY^® trial, PRADAXA 150mg twice daily was superior in reducing ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke compared to warfarin in patients with NVAF. The risk of major bleeds was similar with PRADAXA 150mg and warfarin across major subgroups with the exception of age, where there was a trend towards a higher incidence of major bleeding with PRADAXA for patients >75 years of age. There were higher rates of major gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and total GI bleeding with PRADAXA 150mg than warfarin. The incidence of intracranial bleeding, or bleeding inside the skull, was 59 percent lower with PRADAXA 150mg than warfarin in this patient population.

The U.S. Prescribing Information recommends, if possible, to discontinue PRADAXA one to two days (CrCl >50 mL/min) or three to five days (CrCl <50 mL/min) before invasive or surgical procedures because of the increased risk of bleeding. Consider longer times for patients undergoing major surgery, spinal puncture, or placement of a spinal or epidural catheter or port, in whom complete hemostasis may be required.

Although studied in the RE-LY trial, dabigatran 110mg is not approved by the U.S. FDA. PRADAXA^® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co. KG and used under license.

About Pradaxa^® (dabigatran etexilate mesylate) Capsules

Indications and Usage
PRADAXA is indicated to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT PRADAXA

CONTRAINDICATIONS
PRADAXA is contraindicated in patients with active pathological bleeding and patients with a known serious hypersensitivity reaction (e.g., anaphylactic reaction or anaphylactic shock) to PRADAXA.

WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS

Risk of Bleeding
PRADAXA increases the risk of bleeding and can cause significant and, sometimes, fatal bleeding.  Promptly evaluate any signs or symptoms of blood loss, such as a drop in hemoglobin and/or hematocrit or hypotension.  Discontinue PRADAXA in patients with active pathological bleeding.

Risk factors for bleeding include medications that increase the risk of bleeding (e.g., anti-platelet agents, heparin, fibrinolytic therapy, and chronic use of NSAIDs).  PRADAXA’s anticoagulant activity and half-life are increased in patients with renal impairment.

A specific reversal agent for dabigatran is not available.  Dabigatran can be dialyzed (removal of about 60% of drug over 2-3 hours) but data supporting this is limited. Activated prothrombin complex concentrates, recombinant Factor VIIa, or concentrates of factors II, IX or X may be considered but their use has not been evaluated.  Protamine sulfate and vitamin K are not expected to affect dabigatran anticoagulant activity.  Consider administration of platelet concentrates where thrombocytopenia is present or long-acting antiplatelet drugs have been used.

Temporary Discontinuation of PRADAXA
Discontinuing PRADAXA for active bleeding, elective surgery, or invasive procedures places patients at an increased risk of stroke.  Minimize lapses in therapy.

Effect of P-gp Inducers & Inhibitors on Dabigatran Exposure
The concomitant use of PRADAXA with P-gp inducers (e.g., rifampin) reduces exposure to dabigatran and should generally be avoided.  P-gp inhibition and impaired renal function are major independent factors in increased exposure to dabigatran.  Concomitant use of P-gp inhibitors in patients with renal impairment is expected to increase exposure of dabigatran compared to either factor alone.

For patients with moderate renal impairment (CrCl 30-50 mL/min), consider reducing the dose of PRADAXA to 75 mg twice daily when dronedarone or systemic ketoconazole is coadministered with PRADAXA.

For patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl 15-30 mL/min), avoid concomitant use of PRADAXA and P-gp inhibitors.

ADVERSE REACTIONS
In the pivotal trial comparing PRADAXA to warfarin, the most frequent adverse reactions leading to discontinuation of PRADAXA were bleeding and gastrointestinal (GI) events. PRADAXA 150 mg resulted in a higher rate of major GI bleeds and any GI bleeds compared to warfarin. In patients >75 years of age, the risk of major bleeding may be greater with PRADAXA than with warfarin. Patients on PRADAXA 150 mg had an increased incidence of GI adverse reactions.  These were commonly dyspepsia (including abdominal pain upper, abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, and epigastric discomfort) and gastritis-like symptoms (including GERD, esophagitis, erosive gastritis, gastric hemorrhage, hemorrhagic gastritis, hemorrhagic erosive gastritis, and GI ulcer).  Drug hypersensitivity reactions were reported in <0.1% of patients receiving PRADAXA.

Other Measures Evaluated
In the pivotal trial, a higher rate of clinical myocardial infarction was reported in patients who received PRADAXA (0.7 per 100 patient-years for 150 mg dose) than in those who received warfarin (0.6).

RE-LY is a registered service mark of Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH and used under license.

For full PRADAXA prescribing information, please visit www.pradaxa.com or contact Boehringer Ingelheim’s Drug Information Unit at 1-800-542-6257.

Study Shows CardioFocus HeartLight EAS Provides Durable Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation

CardioFocus, Inc., developer of the HeartLight^® Endoscopic Ablation System (EAS) for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF), announces that a study in the journal HeartRhythm demonstrates high acute success (98%) and durable pulmonary vein (PV) isolation rates achievable with a single, visually-guided HeartLight EAS ablation procedure. To determine durability, the study involved a subsequent diagnostic remapping procedure that found 86% of PVs remained electrically isolated after three months. The multicenter study, authored by Srinivas R. Dukkipati, MD, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, is published in the June 2012 issue.

“The goal of catheter ablation for paroxysmal AF is durable PV isolation, and this study demonstrates that the unique compliant, variable-diameter balloon catheter and laser energy source of the HeartLight EAS enables the placement of circumferential and continguous lesions for high rates of acute and persistent PV isolation,” said Dr. Dukkipati. “Through the insights gleaned in the remapping procedures we have been able to hone our techniques for energy application, catheter positioning and other procedural elements and are continuing to obtain impressive clinical outcomes with the system.”

The study, “The Durability of Pulmonary Vein Isolation Using the Visually-Guided Laser Balloon Catheter: Multicenter Results of Pulmonary Vein Remapping Studies,” looked at the first 56 patients treated with HeartLight EAS by 10 primary operators at three European sites, resulting in an acute PV isolation rate of 98% (202/206). At approximately three months follow-up (105 ± 44 days), 52 patients returned for a remapping procedure to reconfirm electrical isolation, in which researchers found 86% (162/189) of PVs remained isolated. During the remapping, if a PV had reconnected physicians performed repeat ablation. At an average follow-up of one year (12.0 ± 1.8 months post remapping), 71% of patients remained free from AF and off anti-arrhythmic drugs.

Notably, after performing only 10 cases, physicians began to see improved outcomes. Data from the remapping shows physicians who performed fewer than 10 cases achieved a durable PV isolation rate of 73% (38/52), while physicians who had performed 10 or more cases achieved a rate of 89% (127/142).

“This data continues to contribute to the growing body of research supporting HeartLight EAS as an effective treatment option for AF with a remarkably quick learning curve,” said Stephen Sagon, President and CEO of CardioFocus. “As adoption continues throughout Europe and momentum builds in our U.S. pivotal trial, we are excited that such positive clinical experiences are being documented by leading electrophysiologists and shared in prominent forums such as the journal HeartRhythm.”

HeartLight EAS incorporates an endoscope for direct visualization of a beating heart and a compliant, dynamically adjustable balloon catheter designed for improved contact with the PV ostium irrespective of individual patient anatomy. The system also utilizes laser energy for more efficient, durable and precise ablation treatment.

The Heart Rhythm study findings were first previewed at Heart Rhythm 2011, the Heart Rhythm Society’s 32nd Annual Scientific Sessions.

About CardioFocus, Inc.

CardioFocus, Inc. is a medical device manufacturer dedicated to advancing ablation treatment for cardiac disorders such as atrial fibrillation. 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. 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.

eCardio Teams Up with Heart Rhythm Society for Month-Long Campaign to Raise Awareness of Cardiac Arrhythmias

eCardio Diagnostics, a leading provider of remote cardiac arrhythmia monitoring, was among eight corporate sponsors teaming up with the Heart Rhythm Society to raise the level of awareness for heart rhythm disorders, particularly atrial fibrillation (AF) and sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

The campaign launched in conjunction with the Heart Rhythm 2012 Scientific Sessions taking place in Boston from May 9–12. Community awareness efforts occurred throughout the month with a goal of helping the public learn more about the signs, symptoms and treatment options for AF, which affects more than two million people, and SCA, which claims more than 250,000 deaths each year.

“We applaud HRS for the development of such an important program which raises the consciousness of serious conditions like AF and SCA,” said Larry Lawson, eCardio’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Arming the public with such valuable information has the potential to positively impact the lives of patients and their communities, and we are honored to have been part of it.”

Awareness was generated through two public events, and information distributed throughout the month through media outlets, local physicians and allied health professionals in the Boston area.

One of the events took place on May 9, which was designated as Cardiac Awareness Day in the city of Boston. During this event, the community was invited to board a mobile education unit in City Hall Plaza to receive a free cardiac risk assessment. More than 500 packets of information were distributed that day.

HRS will continue to build upon this program throughout the year, and additional resources related to symptoms, risk factors, prevention and treatment of cardiac conditions are available to healthcare professionals and patients through their website.