ST. LOUIS, Feb. 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stereotaxis, Inc. (OTCQX:STXS), a global leader in innovative robotic technologies for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, and the Montreal Heart Institute (MHI), an internationally recognized research leader and specialty hospital dedicated to the advancement of cardiology, today announced that the hospital is now performing ablation procedures using its newly installed Niobe ® ES and the Vdrive ® robotic systems. MHI is the first hospital in the province of Quebec to offer Stereotaxis technologies for use in catheter ablation procedures to treat various types of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, including in patients with the most complex forms of congenital heart disease. This state-of-the-art lab also contains the latest technologies for imaging and 3D mapping. Affiliated with Université de Montréal, MHI is one of the largest cardiac institutes worldwide, with electrophysiology (EP) as one of its main pillars in clinical care, research, and innovation.
“Implementation of these leading-edge technologies is a major advancement for our arrhythmia program that will benefit patients not only in Quebec but around the globe,” said Dr. Paul Khairy, arrhythmia specialist and Scientific Director of the MHI Adult Congenital Center. “There is an urgent need to improve the way we treat arrhythmias in people born with complex forms of heart disease. In some cases, life-threatening arrhythmias cannot be reached by standard methods due to distorted or obstructed structures, patches, conduits, or baffles. The robotic magnetic-guided Stereotaxis system allows us to navigate catheters with great precision through these complex anatomies safely and effectively. We have already successfully treated patients with severe forms of congenital heart disease for whom catheter ablation likely would not have been a viable option without the sophisticated capabilities of this magnetic navigation platform.”
“The majority of children born with heart defects are now surviving into their adult years, giving rise to a rapidly growing population of patients with congenital heart disease," stated Dr. Denis Roy, President and CEO of the MHI. "Considering that arrhythmias are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this population, it is critical to have an effective solution that addresses these complex problems. Innovations such as these, made possible in part by Dr. Khairy's major grant from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, allow our program to offer such leading-edge care.”
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most prevalent type of birth defect, afflicting approximately 1% of the Canadian population. Whereas a few decades ago, most people with severe forms of congenital heart disease died during childhood, over 90% now survive into adulthood. Arrhythmias are the most common complication encountered and often occur in a context that renders conventional therapies unsuitable or ineffective.
About the Montreal Heart Institute Founded in 1954 by Dr. Paul David, the Montreal Heart Institute constantly aims for the highest standards of excellence in the cardiovascular field through its leadership in clinical and basic research, ultra-specialized care, professional training and prevention. It is part of the broad network of health excellence made up of Université de Montréal and its affiliated institutions. According to Research Infosource , the Montreal Heart Institute has been ranked the number one research hospital in Canada for research intensity and funding per researcher.
About Stereotaxis Stereotaxis is the global leader in innovative robotic technologies designed to enhance the treatment of arrhythmias and perform endovascular procedures. Its mission is the discovery, development and delivery of robotic systems, instruments, and information solutions for the interventional laboratory. These innovations help physicians provide unsurpassed patient care with robotic precision and safety, improved lab efficiency and productivity, and enhanced integration of procedural information. Over 100 issued patents support the Stereotaxis platform. The core components of Stereotaxis’ systems have received regulatory clearance in the United States, European Union, Japan, Canada, China, and elsewhere. For more information, please visit www.stereotaxis.com .
This press release includes statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements, usually containing the words "believe”, "estimate”, "project”, "expect" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to raise additional capital on a timely basis and on terms that are acceptable, its ability to continue to manage expenses and cash burn rate at sustainable levels, its ability to continue to work with lenders to extend, repay or refinance indebtedness, or to obtain additional debt financing, in either case on acceptable terms, continued acceptance of the Company's products in the marketplace, the effect of global economic conditions on the ability and willingness of customers to purchase its systems and the timing of such purchases, competitive factors, changes resulting from healthcare reform in the United States, including changes in government reimbursement procedures, dependence upon third-party vendors, timing of regulatory approvals, and other risks discussed in the Company's periodic and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. By making these forward-looking statements, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release. There can be no assurance that the Company will recognize revenue related to its purchase orders and other commitments in any particular period or at all because some of these purchase orders and other commitments are subject to contingencies that are outside of the Company's control. In addition, these orders and commitments may be revised, modified, delayed or canceled, either by their express terms, as a result of negotiations, or by overall project changes or delays.
Company Contact: David Fischel Chairman and Acting Chief Executive Officer 314-678-6101 Martin C. Stammer Chief Financial Officer 314-678-6155
