Pioneering Non-Invasive Vascular Technologies Since 1984
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A Big Kudos to ACI’s Customer Service Team!

As you may or may not know, ACI Medical has a small business attitude when it comes to customers and clients. Even though we do distribute the ArtAssist® device through other (exceptional) organizations, we have always been involved in making sure patients are satisfied with their therapy. The ArtAssist® device has so much to offer for non-operable patients, but what really matters is when a support system comes through.

Here is a recent example of how our customer service team works to serve patients (letter is unabridged except for identifying information):

Dear Don,

My husband and I want to thank you for the expeditious service in receiving the ACI medical device.

I know that the device has improved his circulation. Due to his chronic health issues, (COPD, diabetic, kidney problems), the vascular surgeon said that my husband will no longer be a candidate for surgery. It is the ACI device that is currently maintaining proper circulation to his legs, feet, & toes.

I am an advocate for this device and have watched his ulcer wounds heal with consistent and proper use of the device.

Per our phone conversation on Monday, October 14, you advised me that I would receive another machine due to the unfortunate malfunction of the one that I originally received. Today, October 15th, Tuesday, at 9:30 AM eastern time, the doorbell rang and on our front steps was the new replacement.

Two words for your service, appreciation and gratitude. You too have now become a major contributor to my husband’s health and well being.

With much appreciation,

Carol W.

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ACI Medical to Exhibit at VEITHsymposium ™ in November 2013

ACI Medical will be joining VEITHsymposium ™ as an exhibitor this year. VEITHsymposium ™ is one of the largest gatherings of vascular specialists in the US. If you would like to visit the ACI Medical booth at the meeting, we will only be exhibiting for one day.

WOUNDS Exhibit
Tuesday, November 19 in the South Corridor, 2nd Floor
Booth #406

ACI Medical Logo

VEITHsymposium ™ is scheduled from Tuesday, November 19 through Saturday, November 23. During this time, vascular specialists from around the world will be giving hundreds of short presentations on the latest advances in vascular medicine.

On Thursday, November 21 at 4:21 PM, Professor Andrew N. Nicolaides is scheduled to present on ArtAssist®…The Arterial Assist Device® and what it can do to medically treat critical limb ischemia.

Use of the ArtAssist® device in the treatment of CLI:  How does it work and when should it be used

andrew nicolaides veithsymposium presenter

Prof. Andrew N. Nicolaides

Professor Nicolaides is one of the foremost experts on the relatively new arterial pump technology. Nicolaides was part of a team that evaluated and optimized the ArtAssist® device to maximize circulation. Since having laid the groundwork for this medical device, the ArtAssist® device has been shown in many clinical trials to facilitate wound healing and limb salvage by effectively doubling and tripling blood flow.

ArtAssist Arterial Assist Device IPC

ArtAssist®…The Arterial Assist Device®

For discussions and questions prior to and after Professor Nicolaides’ presentation, ACI Medical welcomes you to visit our booth. As the pioneers of the most advanced arterial pump technology to date, ACI will be able to go into depth with you about the science and engineering behind the ArtAssist® device.

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Limb Salvage with Arterial Pump Compression Therapy: A Graphical Representation

Who here has heard of compression therapy for poor circulation? What is the first thought that comes to mind?

ArtAssist Arterial Assist Device IPC

The ArtAssist® device: Always remember to look for clinical evidence.

Many patients are not aware of the full benefits that compression therapy can bring for poor circulation. Many doctors also remain in the dark or are skeptical of this therapy’s effectiveness. Indeed, there are products in the market that are largely untested in a clinical setting. Despite their lack of evidence, they are still marketed to patients as an “effective” solution for poor circulation.

In reality, not all arterial pump brands are the same. It really shows when a pump is not optimized for its intended purpose.

To illustrate, we at ACI Medical have put together a simple chart that combines three limb salvage statistics:

  • The first limb salvage statistic is from a randomized, placebo-controlled, single blind clinical study using ArtAssist®…The Arterial Assist Device®. This arterial pump claims to significantly increase circulation to the legs and feet. The patients in this study were contraindicated for surgery and had critical limb ischemia. You can find the abstract by clicking here.
  • The second limb salvage statistic comes from a clinical study at the Mayo Clinic for a different arterial pump. This pump also claims to significantly increase circulation. Patients in this study also suffered from critical limb ischemia. Find the abstract by clicking here.
  • The third limb salvage statistic is from the vascular surgery department at NYU Langone Medical Center. It shows the success rate of arterial bypass surgeries in the lower extremity to treat poor circulation. Patients whose limbs had been scheduled for amputation at other hospitals were saved by the surgeons at NYU. Visit their page.

An 80% limb salvage rate is outstanding for bypass surgery. But what if you are in the other 20%? 

This chart takes the lowest limb salvage success rate for ArtAssist®…The Arterial Assist Device® and the most impressive rate found for the competitive arterial pump. Which compression therapy brand would you choose if bypass surgery was not an option?

compression therapy limb salvage comparison chart

(Charts are approximately to scale. Click to enlarge.)

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Health Technology Assessment of IPC in Ireland is Challenged by Surgeon

ArtAssist Device collateral artery growth
ArtAssist Arterial Assist Device IPC

ArtAssist®…The Arterial Assist Device®

Intermittent pneumatic compression (referred to as IPC)

As a pioneering technology, ArtAssist®…The Arterial Assist Device® faces resistance in the medical community at large. In this case, Ireland’s Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) cites the “lack of high quality, reliable evidence to support the widespread adoption of this technology” in its Health Technology Assessment (HTA).

The ArtAssist® device has been clinically shown to drastically improve circulation in patients with limb-threatening ischemia, a result of advanced peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Many doctors, including Mr. Sultan at the Galway Clinic, prescribe ArtAssist® device therapy to patients who are not candidates for surgical intervention.

Understandably, doctors responsible for the well-being of their patients may be skeptical of new technologies such as IPC to treat PAD. The fact remains, however, that the only “widespread” course of action after failed attempts at revascularization is amputation of the limb. Since PAD often affects the aged population, the aftermath of amputation can be extremely detrimental to a patient’s quality of life in addition to being a financial burden on the state.

Mr. Sultan, in response to the HTA report:

Sherif Sultan

Mr. Sherif Sultan, Galway Consultant Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon

“The question is, is it a safe procedure, does it save limbs, does it decrease pain and does it control ulcers? The answer in all these cases is yes.”

Mr. Sultan continues to say that he has saved over 500 limbs with this IPC technology over the past eight years, which would have otherwise been scheduled for amputation. Furthermore, numerous studies on this device have been published in Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, a peer reviewed medical journal. The cost of renting the machine for three months is comparable to one night in a hospital bed.

To read the article in full, please visit:  http://www.imt.ie/news/latest-news/2013/07/hta-on-ipc-is-challenged-by-surgeon.html?doing_wp_cron

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Taiwanese PAD patients have improved quality of life & better walking distances in this new IPC study

Unlike other studies for the ArtAssist® device, these researchers examined the effects of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC)

ArtAssist Arterial Assist Device IPC therapy

ArtAssist®…The Arterial Assist Device®

therapy on PAD patients suffering from infrapopliteal diffuse or multiple segmental lesions and who were at risk of amputation.

Click here to view the abstract.

 

Patients were separated into study (n=23) and control (n=8) groups and were given the following tests before and after the study period:

  • 6-minute walking test to examine claudication distance.
    Results: 
    duration and initial and absolute claudication distances significantly increased in study group
  • Transcutaneous oxygen tension (TcPO2).
    Results:  significantly increased in distal end of target limb after IPC therapy
  • Quality of Life (Short-Form 36 questionnaire):
    Results:  significant changes in physical functioning, physical and emotional role functioning, bodily pain, and general and mental health after IPC therapy

The study group received ArtAssist® device therapy for three months, three hours per day. The ArtAssist® device rapidly compresses the foot, ankle, and calf at 120 mmHg approximately every 17 seconds. The rapid inflation and deflation of the cuffs is instrumental to the arteries’ vasodilation.

The significant improvements in walking distance, oxygen levels, and quality of life show both medical and lifestyle benefits for patients who are not candidates for surgical intervention.

To read more about the clinical trials conducted with ArtAssist®…The Arterial Assist Device®, please visit the Clinical Studies Page.

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ACI Medical President to Speak at 2013 ICC Meeting in Boston

This year, the International Compression Club founded by Hugo Partsch, PhD will be meeting as part of the XVII World Meeting of the International Union of Phlebology (IUP) in Boston, MA on September 8.

Ed Arkans, MEng, President of ACI Medical, LLC, is to speak alongside other experts in compression medicine and technology and serve as a chairman during the morning session.

From the ICC website:

Compression therapy is an extremely effective treatment modality, the efficacy of which is frequently underestimated or neglected. There are important areas in medicine in which compression therapy (CT) could be beneficial to patients but is not used because of lack of knowledge of the prescribers. There are countries in which CT has no tradition and is unknown to patients who could profit from it. Only few medical indications for CT are endorsed by evidence based medicine.At the present time it is extremely difficult to convince the vast group of medical people who are not specifically interested or lack knowledge about the merits of good compression, because the arguments in favour of CT are weak, and our standards are vague or non-existent. In addition, patients are often unaware of CT or do not experience the benefits due to poor compliance.As long as we are unable to give the right dosage for the individual patient and as long as we do not agree how this should be measured, then CT will remain an obscure treatment modality, underestimated and underreported.

ed arkansArkans will present on the topic “Arterial Device Optimization,” which highlights the importance of treating circulatory diseases such as PAD with an optimized arterial device when surgery is contraindicated.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a chronic disease of the lower and upper extremities in which plaque blocks the arteries or the artery walls harden (atherosclerosis), causing a decrease in blood flow. PAD-related conditions include intermittent claudication, non-healing wounds and critical limb ischemia. In severe cases, endovascular or an open bypass procedures are indicated. However, many patients are contraindicated for surgical intervention.

ArtAssist Arterial Assist Device

ArtAssist®…The Arterial Assist Device®

Arkans is the primary engineer behind ArtAssist®…The Arterial Assist Device®, which was developed by vascular surgeons. With a deep understanding of the underlying physiology of increasing arterial blood flow, the team focused on results that would clinically benefit patients with poor peripheral circulation. Independent published clinical studies show 86% to 94% limb salvage rates for inoperable patients who used the ArtAssist® device.

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Patients must foot the bill for the ArtAssist® device in Ireland

artassist arterial assist deviceRecently, Dr. Sherif Sultan of the Western Vascular Institute in Galway presented the case for the ArtAssist® device to the HSE (Health Service Executive), hoping to get funding for this home-use arterial pump that is recommended for non-surgical patients with poor peripheral circulation. While this case is under review, any new Irish patients will have to privately fund treatment with the ArtAssist® device.

Senator ó Clochartaigh on the HSE’s decision:

“The decision to withhold funding is shortsighted and makes neither medical nor economic sense. The HSE may hope to make savings in the short term but will face increasing costs in the future as the cost of treating amputations far outweighs that associated with preventative, treatment measures. Once again, we have an example of a short-term saving that will ultimately cost the tax-payer more in the long-term.”

http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/59735/patients-must-foot-the-bill-for-home-use-blood-treatment-themselves-hse-tell-consultants

It is our hope at ACI Medical that patients around the world can benefit from ArtAssist® device treatment as a cost-effective alternative to amputation. We continue to support efforts like those of Dr. Sultan and Senator ó Clochartaigh to bring this arterial pump technology to all patients in need.

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Abstract: “How The ArtAssist Pneumatic Compression Device Can Heal Ulcers From CLI & Relieve Rest Pain Noninvasively”

The abstract “How The ArtAssist Pneumatic Compression Device Can Heal Ulcers From Critical Limb Ischemia And Relieve Rest Pain Noninvasively” presented by Prof. Andrew Nicolaides, MS, FRCS at VEITHsymposium 2012 is now available for download from the VEITHsymposium website. We have also included it on our References/Clinical Studies page.

Enjoy! http://www.veithsymposium.org/abstracts/vei/208.pdf

artassist arterial assist device

ArtAssist®…The Arterial Assist Device®

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Big meetings this week: Desert Foot & VEITHsymposium™

Starting tomorrow, two very important meetings will kick off and experts from ACI Medical will be attending both of them.

If you are attending Desert Foot 2012, the 9th Annual High Risk Diabetic Foot Conference, be sure to attend the 20 minute presentations given by Dr. Darwin Eton (University of Chicago) and Dr. Paul van Bemmelen (Temple University). Both will be talking about how pneumatic compression therapy with arterial pump technology can prevent amputations in non-reconstructible limbs. Both have extensive experience using the ArtAssist® device in a clinical setting.

Here is when you can hear them talk:

Paul van Bemmelen, MD
Wednesday, November 14 from 2:10 PM to 2:30 PM “Pneumatic Compression for Non-Reconstructible PAD”

Darwin Eton, MD
Thursday, November 15 from 5:45 PM to 6:05 PM “Combined Cell Therapy and Pneumatic Compression to Treat Limb Ischemia”

VEITHsymposium™ 2012 will be featuring Professor Andrew Nicolaides of the Imperial College of London. He has been invited to discuss non-reconstructible limb salvage using arterial pump technology during a 5 minute talk on Friday, November 16 from 6:46 AM to 6:51 AM (don’t forget to drink your coffee – hearing him talk is always a treat!). Professor Nicolaides has clinical experience with the ArtAssist® device as well.

As pioneers of ArtAssist®…The Arterial Assist Device® technology, we at ACI Medical invite and encourage you to contact us with your questions about anything from the device’s science to ordering one for your patient:
(888) 453-4356 or info@acimedical.com

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We like the idea of taking care of feet, and so does LER Online Magazine!

The ArtAssist Arterial Pump DeviceIn this month’s issue of Lower Extremity Review, our own ArtAssist® device was featured as one of many products for lower extremity health.

Check it out by going to this link:  http://www.lowerextremityreview.com/products/artassist-compression

 

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