On-X LTI to Host Satellite Symposium

On-X LTI to Host Satellite Symposium at Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Meeting New Considerations for Prosthetic Valve Choice” challenges current prosthetic heart valve trends

AUSTIN, TX — January 25, 2011On-X® Life Technologies, Inc. (On-X LTI) announced today that it will host a Satellite Symposium during the Society of Thoracic Surgeons meeting in San Diego California entitled “New Considerations for Prosthetic Valve Choice.” Speakers at the symposium are from three major U.S. heart centers: The Cleveland Clinic, Emory University and Mayo Clinic. Each speaker will highlight recent research on the subject, which may challenge several present trends in prosthetic heart valve choice. The Symposium will take place at 7:00 PM, January 30, at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina.

Gosta B. Pettersson, M.D., Ph.D., Vice Chairman of the Cleveland Clinic Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery and Surgical Director of Lung Transplantation in Cleveland, Ohio, will chair the session and present “Technique for Safer Implantation of Better Sized Prosthetic Valves.” Dr. Pettersson has significant experience with the replacement of failed tissue valves and an innovative approach to aortic valve implantation.

John D. Puskas, M.D., Associate Chief, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, will present “Reduced Anticoagulation Studies and Alternatives.” Dr. Puskas is the principal investigator for the PROACT trial, an FDA-approved trial to determine whether lower levels of anticoagulation may be safely used with the On-X Prosthetic Heart Valve.

Rakesh M. Suri, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Surgery and Consultant Cardiovascular Surgeon at Mayo Clinic, will present “Choice of Aortic Valve Prosthesis in the Current Era.” His presentation will include data from a study performed at Mayo Clinic entitled “Aortic valve replacement in patients aged 50 to 70 years: improved outcome with mechanical versus biologic prostheses.”

The On-X valve is the result of a breakthrough in medical grade carbon technology—On-X® pure pyrolytic carbon. In addition to providing a more thromboresistant surface, the comparatively high strength of pure On-X Carbon® enabled On-X LTI to make significant valve design changes that resulted in a prosthesis that acts more like a natural valve in its treatment of blood. It is well documented that the On-X valve does not produce the turbulence and blood damage commonly produced by other mechanical heart valve prostheses and, therefore, significantly reduces the potential for life-threatening blood clots.

The On-X valve is presently the subject of the ground-breaking PROACT study in the United States. The purpose of the PROACT trial is to determine if patients implanted with the On-X valve can be safely maintained with reduced levels of warfarin anticoagulation or eliminate the use of warfarin altogether. The study is U.S. FDA approved and is being conducted in 40 centers in the U.S.

About On-X Life Technologies, Inc.
On-X LTI develops heart valve replacements that significantly improve the quality of life for patients. The On-X valve design was awarded a 2002 Medical Device Excellence Award in the Implant and Tissue-Replacement Products category. The company also provides OEM services utilizing its patented On-X carbon to manufacturers of other medical products, including orthopedic joint and spine implant devices. On-X LTI was founded in 1994 by a team of heart valve material and design scientists and engineers led by pioneer Jack Bokros, PhD. Capitalizing on more than 30 years of heart valve design experience the team developed and continues to manufacture the On-X Prosthetic Heart Valve. The valve is approved for use within the US and throughout the world. On-X LTI is headquartered in Austin, Texas. More information is located at www.onxlti.com.

Media Contacts:
Clyde Baker
President & CEO On-X Life Technologies, Inc.
512-339-8000 ext. 269
cbaker@onxlti.com

On-X® Prosthetic Heart Valve and On-X® carbon are trademarks of On-X LTI, registered in the US Patent and Trademark Office and corresponding foreign filings. All other trademarks mentioned herein belong to their respective companies.

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