Detecting the cause of occult gastrointestinal bleeding with the PillCam SB video capsule demonstrated

Given Imaging Ltd. (NASDAQ: GIVN) today announced that new data presented at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2009 Conference show that by visualizing the small bowel with the PillCam® SB video capsule, physicians can detect the cause of occult gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) and adapt how they manage and treat these patients. A separate study demonstrated that use of capsule endoscopy reduced the need for follow-up procedures, such as endoscopies as well as other procedures, thereby improving patient outcomes and reducing costs to the healthcare system. Given Imaging is exhibiting at booth #1803 at the conference, which is taking place in San Diego from October 23-28.

PillCam SB Improves Patient Outcomes and May Reduce Healthcare Costs

Results of the second study, a one-year follow-up study (#P1097), led by Dr. Robert Bulat, with Dr. Scott Pollack (first author) and Dr. Geoffrey Kitzman, Department of Gastroenterology, Tulane University, demonstrated that use of capsule endoscopy reduced the need for follow-up procedures such as endoscopies as well as other procedures.

"While multiple studies have confirmed capsule endoscopy's value in definitively diagnosing patients with obscure GI bleeding, few clinical studies have assessed the impact of capsule endoscopy on patient outcomes," said Dr. Robert Bulat. "The results of our study show that in non-AVM/angioectasia patients, small bowel capsule endoscopy is associated with a reduction in blood transfusions, procedures and clinic visits, which is likely to have had a significant impact on reduction in healthcare costs and hopefully, improved quality of life."