CHICAGO, IL --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Card Guard AG (SWX Swiss Exchange:CARDG), the parent company of LifeWatch Corp. announced that LifeWatch has launched its next-generation LifeStar ACT III Platinum (ACT III) monitor in the United States. This advanced monitoring device, cleared by the FDA in June 2008, provides enhanced heart arrhythmia detection through its 3-channel ECG functionality and ST deviation analysis that can measure ischemic changes. The ACT III monitor automatically detects and sends heart rhythm abnormalities to a 24/7 LifeWatch monitoring call center. This call center is staffed by certified cardiac technicians, who interpret the data and initiate physician notification based on pre-determined criteria. The ACT III monitor, which requires only minimal patient intervention, significantly improves patient compliance and increases diagnostic yield.
Higher Sensitivity Facilitates Market Expansion
The ACT III monitor offers broader functionality with its high-performance multi-channel Ambulatory Cardiac Telemetry in one simple-to-use system. With up to 21-days of real-time ECG monitoring and the provision of ST deviation analysis, the ACT III provides more sensitive and specific data for initial or early detection of arrhythmia in patients that have limited or atypical symptoms. The device has 6 hours of memory in the sensor and a flash memory of up to 21 days of data on the ACT Cell phone monitor. This ensures that no valuable data is lost if a patient is disconnected from the cellular phone. The sophisticated algorithm and advanced wireless and web-based technologies of ACT III enhances data collection, analysis, transmission and reporting, and can be utilized in standard and alternative patient monitoring programs, such as Specialized Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Patient Care and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) programs.
"In my opinion, real-time outpatient cardiac monitoring using this new and unique 3-channel configuration will extend physicians management of patient conditions which have been traditionally monitored in an inpatient setting. Disease state management requires more accurate diagnostic tools such as the ACT III to allow for early detection of a worsening condition in patients that are minimally symptomatic" according to Dr. Harry A. Kopelman, Director of the Cardiac Electrophysiology Laboratory at the Fuqua Heart Center & the Piedmont Heart Institute. Dr. Kopelman is a highly esteemed electrophysiologist who has authored and co-authored a number of papers in highly referred publications and serves as the Chairman of the LifeWatch Medical Advisory Board. Biography of Dr. Harry Kopelman
LifeStar ACT, which was launched in January of 2007, is the catalyst for the rapid growth in LifeWatch's revenues. This exceptional growth is directly attributed to the successful adoption of the ACT monitoring system in hospitals, cardiology practices, and electrophysiology labs. Forty-five percent of the top U.S. Cardiac Centers (US News and World Report), utilize the LifeStar ACT System in their monitoring programs, while over 20 key cardiac institutions have enrolled their AF catheter and surgical ablation patients in the first-to-market LifeWatch AF Patient Care Program. This unique program provides objective post-operative arrhythmia analysis that dramatically improves a physician's ability to assess the clinical outcomes from these complex procedures.
LifeWatch is in the process of increasing the number of its sales force to support the aggressive growth with ACT I and ACT III.
About LifeWatch Corp.
LifeWatch Corp., through its operating subsidiaries Lifewatch Services, Inc. and LifeWatch Technologies, Inc. (Instromedix) is an independent provider of ambulatory cardiac monitoring services and a manufacturer and distributor of ambulatory cardiac and vital signs monitoring devices in the United States. Its current services are used by physicians primarily to monitor patients who are suspected of having heart rhythm disorders, or cardiac arrhythmias, and its products are used by itself and by others in connection with providing cardiac monitoring services. LifeWatch is a wholly owned subsidiary of Card Guard AG, a leading healthcare technology and solutions provider listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange (CARDG).