10.22.15
European cardiac patients now have a greater variety of pacemakers from which to choose.
Sorin Group --- now LivaNova --- recently launched a new line of full-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conditional pacemakers called Kora 250 in the European Union. The SR and DR pacemakers, when implanted with Sorin's Beflex pacing lead, allow implanted patients to undergo MRI scans on any part of the body.
The Automatic MRI Mode makes MRI scans safe and efficient for pacemaker patients, automatically detecting the MRI scanner's magnetic field and ensuring appropriate pacemaker operation during the scan, Sorin executives said in a news release. After the scan, the device automatically returns to normal configuration.1 As a result, unlike other pacing systems, the Kora 250 line minimizes the amount of time that patients experience MRI mode.
"This latest family of pacemakers benefits from our proprietary algorithms and with Automatic MRI mode now available for full body scans, Kora 250 offers doctors and patients a complete suite of advanced therapies aimed ultimately at improving patient outcome," said Stefano Di Lullo, president of the Sorin Group's CRM Business Unit.
Designed to proactively manage comorbidities, the Kora 250 portfolio is equipped with advanced therapeutic and diagnostic features, including:
Prof. Antonio Sagone, chief of the electrophysiology laboratory at Luigi Sacco Hospital in Milan, Italy, implated the first Kora 250 and Sorin Beflex pacing leads in a 79-year-old patient. "Kora 250 is the ideal pacemaker for all my brady patients," Sagone said. "Whether I'm treating them for sinus node disease or AV block, its smart algorithms like SafeR and Sleep Apnea Monitoring help me to proactively manage comorbidities and reduce long-term risk. I'm happy to be able to offer my patients a device that allows them to undergo full-body MRI scans easily and safely."
Sorin Group and Cyberonics finalized their corporate marriage on Oct. 19, becoming known officially as LivaNova. The merger won approval from U.S. anti-trust regulators in April. Sorin’s sales account for more than 60 percent of the combined entity’s total sales. Cyberonics had around $290 million in 2014 revenues, one production facility and 650 employees, compared to Sorin’s sales of nearly $1 billion, 10 manufacturing sites and 3,900 workers.
References:
1. Sorin Kora 250 implant manual (U531 Kora 250DR) available at www.sorinmanuals.com
2. Davy JM et al. Pacing clin electrophysiol 2012;35(4):392-402
3. Stockburger M et al. Eur Heart J. 2015 Jan 14;36(3):151
4. Defaye P et al. Heart Rhythm 2014;11(5):842-8
5. Lee W et al. Expert Rev Respir Med. 2008 June 1;2(3):349-364
6. Gottlieb DJ et al. Circulation 2010 July 27; 122(4):352-360
7. Mehra R et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2006 Apr, 173:910-916
Sorin Group --- now LivaNova --- recently launched a new line of full-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conditional pacemakers called Kora 250 in the European Union. The SR and DR pacemakers, when implanted with Sorin's Beflex pacing lead, allow implanted patients to undergo MRI scans on any part of the body.
The Automatic MRI Mode makes MRI scans safe and efficient for pacemaker patients, automatically detecting the MRI scanner's magnetic field and ensuring appropriate pacemaker operation during the scan, Sorin executives said in a news release. After the scan, the device automatically returns to normal configuration.1 As a result, unlike other pacing systems, the Kora 250 line minimizes the amount of time that patients experience MRI mode.
"This latest family of pacemakers benefits from our proprietary algorithms and with Automatic MRI mode now available for full body scans, Kora 250 offers doctors and patients a complete suite of advanced therapies aimed ultimately at improving patient outcome," said Stefano Di Lullo, president of the Sorin Group's CRM Business Unit.
Designed to proactively manage comorbidities, the Kora 250 portfolio is equipped with advanced therapeutic and diagnostic features, including:
- SafeR, a pacing mode that manages all types of AV block.2 The SafeR algorithm has been proven to dramatically reduce right ventricular pacing for patients with AV block as well as those with sinus node disease.3 SafeR also has been shown to reduce the risk of heart failure and cardiac hospitalization by 51 percent.3
- Sleep Apnea Monitoring, a clinically validated tool to efficiently screen and monitor patients for severe sleep apnea.4 Recent studies have highlighted the risk of sleep apnea, a significant comorbidity associated with atrial fibrillation and heart failure. 5,6,7
Prof. Antonio Sagone, chief of the electrophysiology laboratory at Luigi Sacco Hospital in Milan, Italy, implated the first Kora 250 and Sorin Beflex pacing leads in a 79-year-old patient. "Kora 250 is the ideal pacemaker for all my brady patients," Sagone said. "Whether I'm treating them for sinus node disease or AV block, its smart algorithms like SafeR and Sleep Apnea Monitoring help me to proactively manage comorbidities and reduce long-term risk. I'm happy to be able to offer my patients a device that allows them to undergo full-body MRI scans easily and safely."
Sorin Group and Cyberonics finalized their corporate marriage on Oct. 19, becoming known officially as LivaNova. The merger won approval from U.S. anti-trust regulators in April. Sorin’s sales account for more than 60 percent of the combined entity’s total sales. Cyberonics had around $290 million in 2014 revenues, one production facility and 650 employees, compared to Sorin’s sales of nearly $1 billion, 10 manufacturing sites and 3,900 workers.
References:
1. Sorin Kora 250 implant manual (U531 Kora 250DR) available at www.sorinmanuals.com
2. Davy JM et al. Pacing clin electrophysiol 2012;35(4):392-402
3. Stockburger M et al. Eur Heart J. 2015 Jan 14;36(3):151
4. Defaye P et al. Heart Rhythm 2014;11(5):842-8
5. Lee W et al. Expert Rev Respir Med. 2008 June 1;2(3):349-364
6. Gottlieb DJ et al. Circulation 2010 July 27; 122(4):352-360
7. Mehra R et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2006 Apr, 173:910-916