CHELMSFORD, Mass.–(BUSINESS
WIRE)–ZOLL® Medical Corporation, a manufacturer of medical devices and
related software solutions, announced today that the Saudi Arabia Ministry of
Health purchased six ZOLL intravascular temperature management (IVTM™) systems to treat pilgrims suffering from heat stroke
during the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca last November.
The severe desert heat, associated sun-related hazards, and
crowding present during the Hajj trigger emergency situations such as heat
stroke, which can be fatal if not properly and promptly treated. Daytime
temperatures can reach far over 30ºC (86ºF) in Saudi Arabia during the Hajj months
of October and November. In 2010, these conditions caused 140 pilgrims to die
from heat stroke during the worlds largest annual gathering.
While cooler temperatures prevailed during this years
pilgrimage, which attracted upwards of 2.5 million Muslims, 10 cases of heat
stroke were reported, two of which were treated with ZOLLs IVTM with excellent
results. The others, not as serious cases, were treated with standard
medications.
According to Abdulrahman Alduailij, CEO of Hospital
Automation Technology, ZOLLs distributor for temperature management equipment
in Saudi Arabia,
this was the first time therapeutic temperature management was instituted for
heat stroke patients in the Hajj. A clinical trial that showed ZOLLs
temperature management system can reduce the fever burden by 64% over surface
cooling1 was influential in the purchase decision.
“ZOLLs intravascular approach gave our health care
providers the power and control they needed to rapidly, safely, and effectively
manage the core body temperature. This technology offers superior clinical
efficiency when compared with other methods, such as surface cooling pads, in
reaching and maintaining target temperature,” said Alduailij. “The efficient
and precise control provided by ZOLLs IVTM reduced the workload on clinical
staff because it didnt require constant monitoring.”
“Were extremely pleased to see that the Saudi Arabian
government acknowledges the benefits this life-saving technology can have on
improving outcomes,” said Richard A. Packer, Chief Executive Officer of ZOLL.
“The process of cooling the body can limit potential damage to the brain,
tissue, and other organs, resulting in lives saved that might otherwise be
lost.”
About ZOLL IVTM
ZOLL IVTM provides cooling and warming from a catheter inserted into a
patients vein. This provides better control of the core body temperature by
directly cooling or warming the patients blood as it flows through the body.
This catheter is connected to the Thermogard XP® console, which when used to
induce hypothermia, circulates ice-cold saline solution inside a balloon
catheter. After a period of therapeutic hypothermia, typically 12-24 hours, the
system slowly and accurately rewarms the patient back to normal body
temperature. Since the saline flows only within the catheter, no fluid is
infused into the patient. The ZOLL IVTM system is efficient, precise and easy
to use, and frees up clinical staff to attend to other patient needs.
ZOLL IVTM offers a variety of catheters with placement
options to handle specific patient challenges. Options for catheter placement
include femoral, subclavian, and internal jugular.
About Heat Stroke
A heat stroke is a life threatening condition resulting from long and extreme
exposure to heat, in which a person can’t sweat enough to lower body
temperature. When the weather is hot, the body works overtime trying to stay
cool. Excess heat escapes through sweating, exhalation of warmed air, and
increased blood flow to the skin. Hot weather can overwhelm these mechanisms,
which can lead to the failure of body’s heat regulating system, causing rapidly
increased body temperature and dehydration.
About ZOLL Medical Corporation
ZOLL Medical Corporation develops and markets medical devices and software
solutions that help advance emergency care and save lives, while increasing
clinical and operational efficiencies. With products for defibrillation and
monitoring, circulation and CPR feedback, data management, fluid resuscitation,
and therapeutic temperature management, ZOLL provides a comprehensive set of
technologies that help clinicians, EMS and
fire professionals, and lay rescuers treat victims needing resuscitation and
critical care.
A NASDAQ Global Select company and a Forbes 100 Most
Trustworthy Company in 2007, 2008, and 2009, ZOLL was designated in 2011 as one
of Forbes Top 100 Small Public Companies in America with annual revenues under
$1 billion. ZOLL develops and manufactures its products in the United States, in California,
Colorado, Illinois,
Massachusetts, Pennsylvania,
and Rhode Island.
More than 400 direct sales and service representatives, 1,100 business
partners, and 200 independent representatives serve our customers in over 140
countries around the globe. For more information, visit www.zoll.com.
1 Critical Care Medicine Vol. 32, No. 2, Deringer, Michael
N., Treatment of fever in the neurologic intensive care unit of a
catheter-based heat exchange system. 2004; 559-564
Posted by Sean Fenske, Editor-in-Chief, MDT