LifeWatch Corp. Launches First to Market Atrial Fibrillation Patient Care Program

CHICAGO, IL. - LifeWatch announced today that it has launched the first-to-market AF (Atrial Fibrillation) Patient Care Program for monitoring patients across the nation. Following successful pilots at leading academic institutions, LifeWatch has now expanded its customized patient care program for the untapped market of periop-monitoring of those patients undergoing AF catheter and surgical ablation procedures.

In the U.S., Atrial Fibrillation (AF) ablation procedures have increased dramatically. Over 40,000 procedures were performed on patients in 2007, compared to approximately 26,000 performed in 2006. The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) Executive Summary from the 2007 AF Summit held in Denver, Colorado last year cited the need for extended monitoring of patients who are post- AF catheter and surgical ablation in order to track the procedure outcomes and provide appropriate follow-up. The group, consisting of world-renowned experts, came to a consensus1 that current monitoring programs for periop-AF ablation patients do not adequately meet their needs, or those of the patient.

“The AF market will significantly expand the clinical application of Ambulatory Cardiac Telemetry (ACT) services”, stated Leigh Ann Kelly, Vice President of Business Development at LifeWatch. “In 2008, this represents a significant business opportunity in the United States and Worldwide. In collaboration with our client partners we are pleased to launch this program to meet the unique needs of the patients undergoing ablation of AF and their treating physicians”.

“The need for periop-AF ablation patient monitoring is obvious.’ according to Dr. Harry A. Kopelman, a clinical cardiac electrophysiologist with the Atlanta Cardiology Group, a member of Piedmont Heart Institute. ”Objective periop arrhythmia analysis will dramatically improve our ability to assess the clinical outcomes from these complex procedures. Arrhythmia monitoring with directed disease state management may also impact quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. The LifeWatch program is consistent with our approach of empowering patients and physicians with real-time ECG data and patient education, the goals being improved medical compliance and outcomes.”

The LifeWatch AF Patient Care Program represents the first disease state management program to be supported by the ACT service platform. LifeWatch has partnered with key cardiac institutions to identify additional patient care programs in Congestive Heart Failure and Pediatrics. These programs are expected to expand ACT utilization and allow LifeWatch to provide a novel telehealth model of care that focuses on specific physician and patient needs with the goals of improving patient care and outcomes. 1. HRS/EHRA/ECAS Expert Consensus Statement on Catheter and Surgical Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: Recommendations for Personnel, Policy, Procedures and Follow-Up May 2007, http://www.hrsonline.org/News/Media/press-releases/upload/HR-and-Euro-Copy-for-Print.pdf

About LifeWatch Corp.
LifeWatch Corp., through its operating subsidiaries Lifewatch Services, Inc. and LifeWatch Technologies, Inc. (Instromedix) is an independent provider of ambulatory cardiac monitoring services and a manufacturer and distributor of ambulatory cardiac and vital signs monitoring devices in the United States. Its current services are used by physicians primarily to monitor patients who are suspected of having heart rhythm disorders, or cardiac arrhythmias, and its products are used by itself and by others in connection with providing cardiac monitoring services. LifeWatch is a wholly owned subsidiary of Card Guard AG, a leading healthcare technology and solutions provider listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange (CARDG). For more information, visit: www.lifewatch.com.