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New Genomic Test for Coronary Artery Disease Now Available at The Heart & Vascular Center of Arizona

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 General News
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PHOENIX, Nov. 17 The Heart & Vascular Center of Arizona today announced the availability of Corus(TM) CAD, the first and only gene expression test to quantify the likelihood of obstructive(i) coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with stable chest pain. Corus CAD is a new genomic test launched in select U.S. markets, and the Heart & Vascular Center of Arizona is among the first institutions in the country to offer this first-of-its-kind gene expression test to patients with possible cardiovascular disease.
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"This is a very exciting breakthrough for helping a physician evaluate the risk of obstructive coronary artery disease in our patients who have chest pain," said Dr. Alan Grossman, Medical Director of the Nuclear Cardiology and Echocardiography Laboratories at Heart and Vascular Center of Arizona. "It is a convenient, non-invasive blood test that provides fast and accurate results, which are based on information obtained literally from the cellular level within the coronary arteries. We're eager to share insights with our patients from this new cardiology tool that objectively quantifies their likelihood of severe coronary obstruction and helps us better individualize patient care."
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Corus CAD is a clinically validated test that provides unique biological insight into coronary artery disease at the molecular and cellular levels for a patient. The test is performed via a simple blood draw procedure, without patient exposure to radiation, imaging agents and/or ionizing imaging contrast solutions. By combining this information with standard clinical assessments, physicians can obtain a more complete picture of their patient's disease, and can better individualize care.

"As an oncology nurse, I've seen the power of preventative medicine work first-hand in my patients," said Mandy Welsheimer, a patient of Dr. Grossman who received the Corus CAD test. "I come from a family with a history of heart disease and also have intermittent chest pain, so I visit Dr. Grossman yearly to assess my heart's health. When he offered me the opportunity to take the new Corus CAD test that would detect my risk for coronary artery disease, I jumped at the opportunity to take advantage of the latest technology. When Dr. Grossman walked me through the test's objective results, I immediately felt at ease to know for certain that I am unlikely to have obstructive CAD at this point."

CardioDx, a cardiovascular genomic diagnostics company that developed and launched Corus CAD, has initially launched the test in nine states, including: Kentucky, Maryland, Illinois, Washington, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Carolina, Texas and Arizona. Patient access is expected to increase throughout the country in 2010 as Corus CAD's availability expands to additional regions.

About Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Cardiovascular disease affects tens of millions of Americans each year and is the leading cause of death in the United States. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries (the major blood vessels that supply the heart with blood, oxygen and nutrients) that reduces blood flow to the heart muscle. As a result of the blockage, the heart does not get enough oxygenated blood, which can often cause chest pain (angina), shortness of breath and other symptoms. A severe blockage can cause a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or even death; one of every five deaths among Americans is caused by CAD. In 2008, CAD had an estimated direct and indirect cost of over $165 billion.

About Corus CAD

Corus CAD is a clinically validated genomic test that integrates the expression levels of 23 genes and other patient characteristics to assess obstructive CAD. The test is intended to be used in an outpatient setting with clinically stable, non-diabetic patients who present with chest pain or who have a high risk of coronary artery disease, but without previously diagnosed myocardial infarction (heart attack) or prior revascularization procedure. Corus CAD is convenient and safe, and only requires a standard blood draw procedure. The test yields an objective result delivered to the physician in the form of a numeric score that quantifies the likelihood that a patient with stable chest pain has obstructive CAD.

About CardioDx

CardioDx is a cardiovascular genomic diagnostics company providing physicians with clinically validated tests to enable more informed and individualized patient care decisions. We are strategically focused on developing products for three forms of cardiovascular disease: coronary artery disease (CAD), cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure. The company's first product, Corus(TM) CAD, is the first and only gene expression test to quantify the likelihood of obstructive coronary artery disease in a stable chest pain patient. Developed and validated in a multicenter U.S. clinical trial, Corus CAD integrates the activity of a panel of genes with other patient characteristics to assess obstructive coronary artery disease. Corus CAD is now available in nine states - Kentucky, Maryland, Illinois, Washington, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Carolina, Texas and Arizona - via the CardioDx CLIA-certified Commercial Laboratory with broader availability expected in 2010. CardioDx was founded in 2004 and is located in Palo Alto, California. The company's investors include leaders in life science investing: Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers, Mohr Davidow Ventures, TPG Biotech, Intel Capital and Pappas Ventures. For more information, please visit www.cardiodx.com.

About Heart & Vascular Center of Arizona

The Heart & Vascular Center of Arizona (HVCA) specializes in non-invasive, invasive and interventional cardiology as well as peripheral vascular disease and intervention. The HVCA is committed to offering their patients the highest quality, cost-effective and readily accessible cardiovascular services. With over 25 years of experience, the cardiologists at HVCA are leaders in cardiovascular diagnosis, treatment, prevention and education. Based on current evidence-based medical knowledge, the HVCA seeks to lead in the introduction of new cardiovascular tools and are committed to physician leadership and excellent patient care.

(i) Obstructive CAD is defined as at least one atherosclerotic plaque causing greater than or equal to 50% luminal diameter stenosis in a major coronary artery (greater than or equal to 1.5mm lumen diameter) as determined by invasive quantitative coronary angiography (QCA).

SOURCE Heart & Vascular Center of Arizona
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