AGA Medical commences enrollment in AMPLATZER Cardiac Plug clinical trial

AGA Medical Holdings, Inc. (AGA Medical) (Nasdaq: AGAM) today announced first patient enrollment in the feasibility phase of the prospective, multicenter, randomized AMPLATZER^® Cardiac Plug clinical trial. Dr. William Nicholson, an interventional cardiologist and structural heart specialist at York Hospital in Pennsylvania, enrolled the first patient.

“With our first patient enrolled, we are advancing a study that demonstrates our continued commitment to developing high-value products that can change the standard of care for patients, as well as providing physicians with scientifically sound data”

Scientific data have demonstrated that atrial fibrillation (AF) patients are five times more likely to suffer a stroke without treatment than those who do not have the heart arrhythmia. These strokes are linked to the left atrial appendage - a small structure off the left atrium of the heart - where blood can pool. The current standard of care is to treat these patients with anticoagulants (warfarin), which are difficult to tolerate for many people and carry a risk of serious complications, such as bleeding. This clinical study is evaluating the safety and efficacy of the AMPLATZER Cardiac Plug to close the left atrial appendage and prevent stroke in AF patients compared to warfarin, the most-prescribed, blood-thinning medication.

"Many patients struggle with the effects and regimen of warfarin, and I am hopeful that AF patients may have an alternative with the AMPLATZER Cardiac Plug to prevent stroke," said Dr. Nicholson. "The AMPLATZER Cardiac Plug represents the next-generation of left atrial appendage closure devices, with a novel design that leverages the proven and easy-to-use AMPLATZER technology."

An estimated 2.3 million Americans have AF, and the likelihood of developing it increases with age. In the United States, 3 to 5 percent of people over the age of 65 have the arrhythmia. AF can cause blood to pool in the left atrial appendage, increasing the chance of clots that may travel to the brain and lead to stroke.

President and chief executive officer of AGA Medical John Barr commented, "Beginning enrollment in this study is a significant milestone for AGA Medical. We believe that our device to close the left atrial appendage is an innovative solution to a complex and debilitating problem for patients and the health care system."

"With our first patient enrolled, we are advancing a study that demonstrates our continued commitment to developing high-value products that can change the standard of care for patients, as well as providing physicians with scientifically sound data," Barr continued.

The AMPLATZER Cardiac Plug received European CE Mark approval in December 2008, and is currently sold in Europe, South America and parts of the Pacific Rim.

Source AGA Medical