USCOM Monitor Improves Management Of Children With Septic Shock

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Also Included In: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 08 Oct 2008 - 1:00 PST

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Uscom Limited (ASX:UCM)(PINK:UCMDF) today announced the release of a new study confirming that USCOM 1A improves management of septic shock in children. The research, from London's prestigious Great Ormond St Hospital for Sick Children, was published in Pediatrics, the official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The study of children admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) with suspected septic shock found that measuring the circulation with USCOM allowed earlier detection of abnormalities and more appropriate use of drugs for treatment, and suggested that use of USCOM may improve current practice guidelines.

Mr Rob Phillips, Executive Chairman and Director of Clinical Science said "This study is incredibly important as it defines a critical role for USCOM in improving the management and survival of children with sepsis. These results suggest that USCOM should become part of the standard of care! in the management of sepsis in children. A defined life savin! g role i n management of children has always been a goal for us in development of the USCOM device and this study confirms our progress toward this goal."

Mr Paul Butler, the Uscom CEO said "Pediatrics is a major market for USCOM and this study provides the evidence clinicians need to change practice and adopt the USCOM device. These studies are also the core requirement to substantiate and drive the global re-imbursement process."

Severe sepsis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children and adults worldwide, with a10% mortality in children even with the best of care. Severe sepsis in children is responsible for over 7% of all children's deaths in the USA and health spending in excess of $1.79Bn per annum.

The Company has secured regulatory approval for sale of the Uscom Monitor in Australia, Europe and a number of Asian markets, including Japan, China and Taiwan. Uscom also has a CE Mark certification for Europe and a license from the S! tate Food & Drug Administration for China. The Company received the necessary regulatory clearance for the United States market in February 2005 with the receipt of a 510K Pre Market Notification from the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

References

Distinct Hemodynamic Patterns of Septic Shock at Presentation to Pediatric Intensive Care.
Brierley J, Peters MJ.
Pediatrics 2008:122;752-759.

The epidemiology of severe sepsis in children in the United States.
Watson RS, Carcillo JA, Linde-Zwirble WT, et al:
Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2003; 167:695-701.

International Pediatric Sepsis Consensus Conference: Definitions for sepsis and organ dysfunction in pediatrics.
Goldstein B, Giroir B, Randolph A, and the members of the International Consencus Conference of Pediatric Sepsis.
Pediatr Crit Care Med 2005:6(1); (DOI: 10.1097/01.PCC.0000149131.72248.E6).

About Uscom Limited

Uscom Limited is an Australian medical device company, listed ! on the Australian Stock Exchange since December 2003. Uscom ha! s develo ped a device for the safe and accurate measurement of cardiac output, a non-invasive alternative to the current invasive methods. Uscom offers a completely safe, painless and quick method of accurately measuring how well the heart is pumping. With its real-time beat-to-beat information across multiple parameters of cardiac function and advanced serial measurement capabilities, clinicians can accurately quantify the impact of therapy. The device is ideally suited to the Emergency Care setting where it is critical to monitor changes in cardiac output as fluids are applied.

Uscom Limited