CHELMSFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ZOLL Medical Corporation (NASDAQ GS: ZOLL), a manufacturer of medical devices and related software solutions, announced today that data showing the cost-effectiveness of the LifeVest® Wearable Defibrillator was presented in two scientific presentations and posters at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2011 in Orlando over the weekend.
Chingping Wan, M.D., MSHCPM, ZOLL Medical Corporation, presented a poster entitled “The Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator Is Cost-Effective in Protecting High-Risk Patients after Acute Myocardial Infarction.” Dr. Wan et al. used a simplified Markov decision analysis model to perform a retrospective analysis of LifeVest patients (N=6,703) with a first diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), including event rate, treatment shock outcome, compliance, and end of use reasons to determine the effectiveness of the LifeVest. In addition, published articles and historical data were used to approximate cost, incidence of ventricular arrhythmia, and mortality, with data from non-LifeVest patients who utilized standard emergency medical service (EMS) used as the baseline.
The conclusion was that the LifeVest Wearable Defibrillator is a highly cost-effective therapy to protect post-AMI patients from sudden cardiac death with an incremental cost per life year gained (ICLYG) of $26,238. Therapies are commonly considered cost-effective with an ICLYG of $80,000 or less. For example, implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy used to treat patients with a low ejection fraction 40 to 90 days following an MI are also considered cost-effective with published ICLYG’s between $55,000 and $65,000.
Dr. Wan also presented a poster entitled “Economic Evaluation of the Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator in Patients after ICD Explantation.” Dr. Wan et al. used a simplified Markov decision analysis model to perform a retrospective analysis of LifeVest patients (N=3,021) after ICD explantation, including event rate, treatment shock outcome, compliance, and end of use reasons to determine the effectiveness of the LifeVest. In addition, published articles and historical data were used to approximate cost, incidence of ventricular arrhythmia, and mortality, with data from non-LifeVest patients who utilized standard emergency medical service (EMS) used as the baseline. The conclusion was that the LifeVest Wearable Defibrillator is a highly cost-effective therapy to protect ICD explant patients from sudden cardiac death with an incremental cost per life year gained (ICLYG) of $15,471.
“These initial data demonstrate that the LifeVest is a highly cost-effective therapy for treating cardiomyopathy patients early after an acute cardiac event or following ICD explantation,” said Richard A. Packer, Chief Executive Officer of ZOLL. “A patient is at the highest risk of SCA immediately after an acute cardiac event, but the risk may be temporary and the patient may recover. The combination of these factors is part of the driver for the high cost-effectiveness of the short-term therapy provided by the LifeVest. As we continue to advance the clinical use of the LifeVest in the standard of care, I believe we will find an even greater value is delivered by this therapy, including potential clinical benefits related to optimization of medical therapy, patient compliance with prescribed treatment paths, and other broader healthcare impacts.”
The LifeVest is worn by patients at risk for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), providing protection during their changing condition and while permanent SCA risk has not been established. The LifeVest allows a patient’s physician time to assess his or her long-term arrhythmic risk and make appropriate plans. The LifeVest is lightweight and easy to wear, allowing patients to return to their activities of daily living, while having the peace of mind that they are protected from SCA. The LifeVest continuously monitors a patient’s heart and, if a life-threatening heart rhythm is detected, the device delivers a treatment shock to restore normal heart rhythm.
The LifeVest is used for a wide range of patient conditions or situations, including following a heart attack, before or after bypass surgery or stent placement, as well as for those with cardiomyopathy or congestive heart failure that places them at particular risk.
About ZOLL Medical Corporation
ZOLL Medical Corporation develops and markets medical devices and software solutions that help advance emergency care and save lives, while increasing clinical and operational efficiencies. With products for defibrillation and monitoring, circulation and CPR feedback, data management, fluid resuscitation, and therapeutic temperature management, ZOLL provides a comprehensive set of technologies that help clinicians, EMS and fire professionals, and lay rescuers treat victims needing resuscitation and critical care.
A NASDAQ Global Select company and a Forbes 100 Most Trustworthy Company in 2007, 2008, and 2009, ZOLL was designated in 2011 as one of Forbes Top 100 Small Public Companies in America with annual revenues under $1 billion. ZOLL develops and manufactures its products in the United States, in California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. More than 400 direct sales and service representatives, 1,100 business partners, and 200 independent representatives serve our customers in over 140 countries around the globe. For more information, visit www.zoll.com.
Certain statements contained in this press release, including statements regarding the anticipated development of the Company's business, and other statements contained herein regarding matters that are not historical facts, are “forward-looking” statements (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 17, 2010 and updated in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed subsequently to the Form 10-K, including the Form 10-Q Quarterly Report filed on August 8, 2011. You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements in this press release, and the Company disavows any obligation to update or supplement those statements in the event of any changes in the facts, circumstances, or expectations that underlie those statements.
Copyright © 2011 ZOLL Medical Corporation. All rights reserved. 269 Mill Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824-4105. LifeVest and ZOLL are trademarks or registered trademarks of ZOLL Medical Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All product names are the property of their respective owners.