As part of a new initiative aimed at improving the lives of sleep apnea patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), ResMed, San Diego, will be attending the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 55th Annual Scientific Session to educate cardiologists on new technologies and methods for treating sleep apnea and improving therapy compliance in CVD patients.

“Previously, our goal was to educate health care professionals on the high prevalence of sleep apnea among CVD patients,” says Michael J. Farrell, VP of marketing, Americas, ResMed. “Now that cardiologists have begun to recognize the severe impact of sleep apnea on their patients, our goal has shifted toward helping them treat sleep apnea effectively so CVD patients can experience improved outcomes from their sleep apnea therapy.”

A special focus for the exhibition will be ResMed’s new VPAP Adapt SV™, a bilevel device with US Food and Drug Administration clearance for the treatment of central sleep apnea (CSA), mixed apnea, and periodic breathing such as Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR). “The VPAP Adapt SV represents a significant breakthrough for patients with CSA, mixed sleep apnea, and CSR, and fulfills the need of the medical community for a comprehensive treatment solution for these patients,” says Farrell. ResMed will be exhibiting at booth #1765 at the ACC 2006 in Atlanta. The session will take place March 11 through March 14, 2006.


Vapotherm 2000i Recalled

A nationwide recall of all Vapotherm 2000i respiratory gas humidification devices has been instituted because some of these devices have been found to contain the Ralstonia species of bacteria, which may cause infection and sepsis and, in the most severe cases, can be life-threatening.

According to Vapotherm Inc, Stevensville, Md, the manufacturer of the 2000i, the following information is known:

  • There are numerous reports of Ralstonia colonization, including three reports of infection.
  • One hospital reported a death, but this has not been confirmed by Vapotherm.
  • 26 hospitals in 16 states have reported positive cultures of Ralstonia from the Vapotherm 2000i device.

Kevin Thibodeau, VP, sales and marketing, says, “We have an outstanding safety record … our decision to recall the devices reflects our commitment to patient safety —first and foremost.”

Health care practitioners are urged to seek alternative respiratory gas humidification devices, and any health care facilities that have the Vapotherm 2000i devices must return them to Vapotherm Inc. Instructions for return are listed on the company Web site: www.vtherm.com/recall. 


Sepracor Reports Profitable Year

In recently released financial information, Sepracor, Marlborough, Mass, announced that the company had a successful year fueled by its launch of LUNESTA, a drug used to treat insomnia. For the year ended December 31, 2005, Sepracor’s consolidated revenues were approximately $820.9 million. “The year 2005 was a year of significant growth for Sepracor and its stakeholders. It marks our first profitable year, aided by the successful launch in April of LUNESTA brand eszopiclone for the treatment of insomnia. In December, we expanded our XOPENEX franchise with the launch of XOPENEX HFA, a metered-dose inhaler for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm,” said Timothy J. Barberich, chairman and CEO of Sepracor. “We also submitted a New Drug Application to the US Food and Drug Administration for arformoterol, a nebulized long-acting beta-agonist for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, advanced our early-stage pipeline of pharmaceutical products, and presented and published data related to our LUNESTA and XOPENEX product franchises. With these accomplishments, we believe we have positioned Sepracor for continued growth and profitability for 2006.”


Smiths Hires New Group Managing Director

Smiths Medical, London, has appointed Srini Seshadri as group managing director to succeed Einar Lindh. Moving from his previous position of chief marketing officer, GE Healthcare Technologies, Srini is expected to come on board at Smiths on March 1, 2006. He will report to Keith Butler-Wheelhouse and become a member of the chief executive’s committee.


Nellcor Rolls Out New Trach Tube

Nellcor, Pleasanton, Calif, has launched its Shiley TracheoSoft XLT extended-length tracheostomy tubes. Shiley XLT tubes come in cuffed and cuffless models in four adult sizes and include a flexible, disposable inner cannula to facilitate airway care. The tubes come in 16 configurations to meet a wide range of patient needs and feature an extended-length tube with a choice of proximal or distal extensions.


Maquet Critical Care Debuts SERVO-i with Nasal CPAP and Y Sensor

Maquet Critical Care, Bridgewater, NJ, is bringing new ventilation technology into the neonatal intensive care unit with the introduction of the SERVO-i Infant Release 3.0 with new nasal CPAP and Y sensor measurement. The new model delivers the features of an advanced ventilator fine-tuned for the smallest of patients. “Providing nasal CPAP through noninvasive interfaces is often a significantly better alternative to invasive intubation, which can cause chronic lung problems in premature infants,” said Douglas Smith, vice president for Maquet Critical Care. “Moreover, the Y-sensor provides measurements proximal to the patient, which now gives clinicians a choice in tiny neonates for whom small differences in ventilator parameters can have a major impact.”