AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 1, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On-X® Life Technologies, Inc. (On-X LTI) announced today that Mervyn Williams, M.D., of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, will present the results of a Ten-year Clinical Study with the On-X® Prosthetic Heart Valve in Poorly Anticoagulated Patients in South Africa. The study of these marginally compliant patients has led to the view that the On-X valve may be able to adapt to fluctuations in anticoagulation with all types of patients.
Dr. Williams will present this important data to clinicians at key heart centers in Birmingham, Alabama; Charlotte, North Carolina; Austin, Texas; Plano, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Houston, Texas; Cincinnati, Ohio; Cherry Hill, New Jersey; Richmond, Virginia; and San Francisco, California.
"We are pleased to share our extensive experience with this very challenging patient group," said Dr. Williams. "The results provide some important clinical evidence concerning the On-X valve."
"We are thrilled to host Dr. Williams as he visits key heart centers and clinicians in the U.S.," said Clyde Baker, president and CEO of On-X Life Technologies, Inc. "Dr. Williams' experience with the On-X valve provides insight for clinicians as they help patients decide which valve prosthesis is most appropriate. When compared to competitive data within this same patient population, the On-X valve is significantly superior in many of the most important metrics typically used to determine valve performance."
The On-X valve is the result of a breakthrough in medical grade carbon technology—On-X® pure pyrolytic carbon. In addition to providing a more thromboresistant surface, the comparatively high strength of pure On-X Carbon® enabled On-X LTI to make significant valve design changes that resulted in a prosthesis that acts more like a natural valve in its treatment of blood. It is well documented that the On-X valve does not produce the turbulence and blood damage commonly produced by other mechanical heart valve prostheses and, therefore, significantly reduces the potential for life-threatening blood clots.
About On-X LTI
On-X® Life Technologies (On-X LTI) develops heart valve replacements that significantly improve the quality of life of patients. Jack Bokros, Ph.D., and his associates founded On-X LTI in 1994 to further advance prosthetic heart valve technology by capitalizing on their new form of pyrolytic carbon. The company has FDA, CE and Japanese approval for sale of the On-X® valve. On-X LTI also provides contract-manufacturing services utilizing its patented pyrolytic carbon to manufacturers of other medical products, including orthopedic joint and spine prostheses. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, On-X LTI is a privately held company. More information is located at www.onxlti.com.
On-X is a registered trademark of On-X Life Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned herein belong to their respective companies.
The On-X Life Technologies Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=10418