New Clinical Studies Show ZOLL AutoPulse More Likely to Increase Short

    Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

    CHELMSFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 19, 2005--ZOLL Medical Corporation (NASDAQ: ZOLL), a manufacturer of resuscitation devices and software solutions, announced today the results of two clinical studies that were completed in out-of-hospital settings. Conducted in Richmond, Virginia and San Francisco, California, these two clinical studies provide evidence that the ZOLL AutoPulse(TM) Non-invasive Cardiac Support Pump helps to increase short-term survival in cardiac arrest patients. The results, which were presented during the 2005 Annual Meeting of the National Association of Emergency Medical Services Physicians (NAEMSP), can be found online at www.naemsp.org.
    "The findings of these two independent studies add to the growing body of evidence that supports the use of the AutoPulse during cardiac arrest events," said Richard A. Packer, President and Chief Executive Officer of ZOLL. "These findings help confirm ZOLL's position that the AutoPulse will have a significant impact on the practice of resuscitation."
    The first study abstract, entitled "Improvement in Field Return of Spontaneous Circulation Using Circumferential Chest Compression Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation" (Joseph P. Ornato, M.D.; Mary Ann Peberdy, M.D.; David P. Edwards; Harinder Dhindsa, M.D.; Jerry L. Overton; Richmond Ambulance Authority, Richmond, Virginia), found that chest compressions provided by the AutoPulse led to a 74% relative increase in return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) when compared with standard CPR practices. The improvement occurred regardless of the patient's initial cardiac rhythm.
    The study's purpose was to compare the rate of ROSC in an urban EMS system that converted from standard-CPR practices to the use of the AutoPulse. The ROSC percentage from adult, non-traumatic cardiac arrest cases was compared from five years before, and for the first six months following, conversion to the AutoPulse. The study found that ROSC for all patients rose from 21.6% to 37.5% from the standard-CPR (n=1,007) to the AutoPulse-usage (n=79) periods, representing the 74% relative increase in ROSC.
    The second study abstract, entitled "A Retrospective, Case-matched Review of the Effect of a CPR Assist Device on Survival from Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest" (Michael J. Casner, M.D.; David W. Andersen; Marshal Isaacs, M.D.; San Francisco Fire Department, San Francisco), found that the AutoPulse improved delivery of patients with beating hearts to the Emergency Department (ED) by 35%. In addition, complete study findings have been published in the January 2005 issue of Prehospital Emergency Care.
    The San Francisco Fire Department deployed the AutoPulse with paramedic supervisors, who used the device whenever they arrived on the scene of a cardiac arrest event in progress. Cases using the AutoPulse were matched to cases in which manual CPR was used based on age, gender, and length of resuscitation efforts. The primary endpoint was defined as delivering the patient with spontaneous circulation to the ED. Overall, the use of the AutoPulse was associated with increased ROSC to ED when compared with manual CPR (39% vs. 29%, p=0.003). This increased rate was most pronounced when the initial presenting rhythm was either asystole (37% vs. 22%, p=0.008) or pulseless electrical activity (38% vs. 23%, p=0.08).

    About ZOLL AutoPulse

    The automated, portable device is comprised of a backboard and a simple, disposable LifeBand(TM) that fastens across a victim's chest. The AutoPulse Non-invasive Cardiac Support Pump compresses the entire chest in a unique, "hands-free" manner, moving more blood than can be done consistently with human hands. The AutoPulse offers the promise of restoring normal blood flow levels in cardiac arrest patients. Additionally, it offers the benefit of freeing up rescuers to focus on other life-saving interventions. To date, more than 100 customers have purchased the AutoPulse and have been actively using it as part of their resuscitation protocols.

    About ZOLL Medical Corporation

    ZOLL Medical Corporation (NASDAQ: ZOLL) is committed to developing technologies that help advance the practice of resuscitation. With products for pacing, defibrillation, circulation, ventilation, and fluid resuscitation, ZOLL provides a comprehensive set of technologies that can help clinicians, EMS professionals, and lay rescuers resuscitate sudden cardiac arrest or trauma victims. ZOLL also designs and markets software that automates the documentation and management of both clinical and non-clinical data.
    ZOLL has operations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Australia, and Austria. With direct operations, international offices, and business partners in all of the world's major markets, ZOLL markets and sells its products in more than 140 countries.

    Certain statements contained in this press release, including statements regarding the anticipated development of ZOLL's business, potential sales levels and overall market for the AutoPulse, its ability to differentiate its products from others on the market, and other statements contained herein regarding matters that are not historical facts, are "forward-looking" statements (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the prompt market acceptance of the AutoPulse, successful completion of the clinical trials regarding the AutoPulse, the ability of the ZOLL sales force to market successfully multiple resuscitation products, entrance of a competitive product, and those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in ZOLL's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed on December 23, 2004.

    Copyright (C) 2005 ZOLL Medical Corporation. All rights reserved. 269 Mill Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824-4105. AutoPulse and LifeBand are trademarks of ZOLL Medical Corporation. ZOLL is a registered trademark of ZOLL Medical Corporation. All trademarks are property of their respective owners.

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CONTACT: ZOLL Medical Corporation Investor Contact: A. Ernest Whiton, 978-421-9655 Chief Financial Officer or Media Contact: Robert Minicucci, 978-421-9832 Corporate Communications Manager rminicucci@zoll.com

KEYWORD: MASSACHUSETTS INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEDICAL DEVICES PHARMACEUTICAL MEDICAL SOURCE: ZOLL Medical Corporation

Copyright Business Wire 2005