Critical Diagnostics showcases Presage ST2 Assay at AAHFN annual meeting

Critical Diagnostics, makers of the Presage® ST2 Assay, participated in the annual meeting for the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses in Chicago, considered the premier meeting in heart failure nursing.. The company was an exhibiting sponsor and also provided a product theater lecture with guest speaker Dr. Lori Daniels, Director of the Cardiac Care Unit of the La Jolla, CA-based Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, part of the UC San Diego Health System. The product theater lecture provided a comprehensive introduction to the company's Presage ST2 Assay and the value it provides in management of patients with heart failure.

According to the American Heart Association, heart failure affects some 5.8 million Americans with 670,000 new diagnoses each year. The estimated direct and indirect cost of this condition in the US is $39.2 billion.

The Presage ST2 Assay quantitatively measures the level of ST2 in blood. ST2 has been shown to be a significant predictor of mortality as well as all-cause hospitalization, mortality due to cardiovascular disease, and hospitalization due to cardiovascular disease. ST2 is prognostic for clinically important outcomes in addition to all-cause mortality. Presage ST2 Assay levels are independent and complimentary of natriuretic peptide markers and not adversely affected by such confounding factors as age, gender, body mass index and impaired renal failure.

"Heart failure is a complex syndrome. Despite many advances in therapies, morbidity and mortality remains high and re-hospitalization rates are unacceptable; collectively this has resulted in a tremendous burden on health care utilization and resources. Heart failure nurses welcome methods which may enhance our ability to assess patients, to direct care and help us predict outcomes. The Presage ST2 Assay appears to be a candidate to assist in this care process," notes Marie Galvao, MSN, ANP-BC, CHFN, President of AAHFN.

"Nurses are at the forefront of care for patients with heart failure," remarks James Snider, Critical Diagnostic's President. "The opportunity to present this new and powerful test to this group and discuss with them how to implement it was a valuable experience for both the Company and these talented, caring professionals."