Expert Surgeon Panel Presents Data for Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation at the International Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery Conference Using Latest ESTECH COBRA® Technology

Patented Temperature Controlled Radiofrequency Ablation COBRA Products continue to provide the best long term outcomes

Boston, MA – June 20th, 2008 — At the 2008 International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (ISMICS), the latest techniques and results using ESTECH COBRA products for cardiac ablation were presented. The panel of recognized experts on cardiac ablation discussed the use of COBRA technology in stand alone as well as concomitant AF procedures. Data was presented demonstrating superior effectiveness and reproducibility of the COBRA technology.
Mark La Meir, M.D., University Hospital Maastricht in The Netherlands, discussed the importance of using a “Hybrid” procedural approach in which the cardiac surgeon and electrophysiologist combine their ablation techniques in the catherization laboratory to maximize the effectiveness of the procedure.        Dr. La Meir commented, “The COBRA Adhere XL™ allows me to create a precise box lesion to isolate all four pulmonary veins and the epicardial ganglia while the electrophysiologist at the same time tests for conduction block”. Dr. La Meir went on to state, “It is a must to measure for conduction block during every ablation procedure to assure transmurality. At the University of Maastricht we use the AFfirm™ Bipolar Pacing Probe to test for exit block.”
Michael Argenziano, M.D., Director of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery at Columbia University, presented the benefits of using both the COBRA Adhere XL and COBRA Cooled™ products in a minimally invasive fashion. Dr. Argenziano stated, “The innovative suction and internally cooled technology of the Adhere XL help maximize the efficiency of temperature controlled radiofrequency technology by pulling the atrial tissue against the probe, eliminating potential gaps and enabling long uniform lesions. The internal cooling of the XL and Cooled Probes also helps counteract the “heat sink” effect, promoting consistent ablation through the full thickness of the tissue.” Dr. Argenziano went on to comment, “We finish each procedure by testing for conduction block, which is the standard of care for electrophysiology, using the AFfirm Bipolar Pacing Probe.”
ESTECH CEO, Art Bertolero commented, “ESTECH’s patented COBRA technology has the highest number of publications, patients treated, and data points with the highest success rate of any ablation technology as demonstrated by these studies. We are excited to be participating in upcoming clinical trials which we believe will prove surgical cardiac ablation should be a first option for many patients”.
Frequently, published papers report an inflated device cure rate by adding in additional treatments whereby the primary device treatment is supplemented by subsequent treatments/interventions like Cox cut and sew maze, catheter ablation and cryotherapy, using devices such as those manufactured by ATS Medical, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATSI). This inaccurately attributes success to failed primary technologies.  ESTECH does not endorse this practice and will continue to assess the true, long term success of cardiac ablation with the COBRA AFfirm Registry and will report on only one intervention per patient (vs. two or three) using the COBRA technology, with three year follow-up data.
ESTECH’s COBRA Adhere XL is indicated for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, in Europe. In the U.S., like devices manufactured by AtriCure, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATRC), COBRA Adhere XL are indicated for ablation of cardiac tissue.

About ESTECH
Headquartered in San Ramon, CA, ESTECH is a pioneer in the field of cardiac ablation. The COBRA line comprises the first technology invented, developed and brought to the surgical ablation market.  COBRA ablation products are the first and only devices with the core technologies critical to producing transmural lesions on a beating heart to insure deep consistent lesions with no gaps when creating any of a variety of lesion sets.  Temperature controlled RF energy delivery, suction assisted tissue contact and internally cooled devices provide superior ablation performance compared to other ablation systems.  ESTECH’s ablation products are protected by a broad portfolio of over 75 issued patents including, but not limited to:  U.S. Patent Nos.  7,115,122, 6,830,576, 6,579,288, 6,241,754, 5,651,780, and 5,575,772.

Contact:
Art Bertolero
T: 925.866.7111
F: 925.866.7117
E: abertolero@estech.com
www.info@estech.com