NATICK, Mass., May 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) today announced a new clinical science initiative, ALTITUDE, which will analyze data(1) from the LATITUDE® Patient Management system. The initiative will use the substantial LATITUDE data to seek answers to common questions related to implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) device therapy. The ALTITUDE initiative will be managed in collaboration with an external physician panel of thought leaders who will assist in identifying relevant clinical issues for examination.
Boston Scientific has enrolled nearly 100,000 patients on the LATITUDE Patient Management system since its introduction in 2006, making it the most rapidly adopted remote cardiac device monitoring system in the industry. The LATITUDE system allows physicians to schedule remote check-ups of implantable cardiac devices to monitor specific device information and patient heart health status. It can also detect clinical events between scheduled follow-up visits and send relevant data directly to physicians. This regular in-home monitoring offers convenience and peace of mind for patients.
"The ALTITUDE clinical science initiative will enhance physician understanding of device therapy in real-world practice and offer insights into event rates and disease progression in the ICD and CRT-D patient populations," said Leslie Saxon, M.D., F.A.C.C., Chief, Cardiovascular Medicine in the Cardiovascular and Thoracic Institute, University of Southern California, and chairperson of the ALTITUDE physician panel. "We look forward to beginning our analysis and sharing the findings of this pioneering effort."
The ALTITUDE clinical science initiative supplements similar Boston Scientific programs, including RAPID-RF, which evaluates the clinical outcomes associated with remote patient monitoring, and the Longitudinal Surveillance Registry, which evaluates the long-term reliability and clinical performance of device therapy.
"These initiatives represent Boston Scientific's ongoing commitment to share the clinical value of data gathered by the LATITUDE system," said Fred Colen, Executive Vice President, Operations and Technology, CRM. "ALTITUDE adds to our history of delivering sound science that advances therapy options for physicians and provides clinical benefit to patients."
Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices whose products are used in a broad range of interventional medical specialties. For more information, please visit: http://www.bostonscientific.com/.
(1) Analysis of aggregate de-identified LATITUDE Patient Management System data as of 5/13/08. Data on file. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "anticipate," "expect," "project," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "intend" and similar words. These forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and estimates using information available to us at the time and are not intended to be guarantees of future events or performance. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding clinical trials, scientific activities, product performance, competitive offerings and growth investment. If our underlying assumptions turn out to be incorrect, or if certain risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. These factors, in some cases, have affected and in the future (together with other factors) could affect our ability to implement our business strategy and may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements expressed in this press release. As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements.
Factors that may cause such differences include, among other things: future economic, competitive, reimbursement and regulatory conditions; new product introductions; demographic trends; intellectual property; litigation; financial market conditions; and, future business decisions made by us and our competitors. All of these factors are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of them are beyond our control. For a further list and description of these and other important risks and uncertainties that may affect our future operations, see Part I, Item 1A- Risk Factors in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we may update in Part II, Item 1A - Risk Factors in Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q we have filed or will file thereafter. We disclaim any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or in events, conditions, or circumstances on which those expectations may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. This cautionary statement is applicable to all forward-looking statements contained in this document.
CONTACT: Annette Ruzicka 651-582-6161 (office) 763-458-4193 (mobile) Media Relations Boston Scientific Corporation Larry Neumann 508-650-8696 (office) Investor Relations Boston Scientific Corporation
SOURCE: Boston Scientific Corporation
CONTACT: Annette Ruzicka, Media Relations, office, +1-651-582-6161,
mobile, +1-763-458-4193, or Larry Neumann, Investor Relations, office,
+1-508-650-8696, both of Boston Scientific Corporation
Web site: http://www.bostonscientific.com/