LIDCO GROUP PLC

("LiDCO" or the "Company")

LiDCO chosen for US Government funded multi-centre trial in the field of organ transplantation

LiDCO, (AIM:LID) the hemodynamic monitoring company, is pleased to announce that The University of Pittsburgh has chosen LiDCO's technology for a multi-centre trial funded by the US Government.  The trial will test the effectiveness of a donor resuscitation protocol designed to increase the number and quality of organs available for transplantation purposes. 

Despite efforts to increase organ donation, there remains a critical shortage in both organ donors and with the numbers of organs procured per donor.  There are several reasons why not all potential organs are donated; one of the most important reasons is hemodynamic instability of the donor.  Earlier research, conducted by two US clinical centres (the Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network in Chicago and the University of Pittsburgh) suggested that use of LiDCO's hemodynamic monitoring technology could significantly increase the number of organs available for transplantation.  Donors who were adequately fluid resuscitated provide a higher number of organs that are deemed suitable for transplant (3.7 compared with 2).  The researchers also found that patients transplanted with organs from poorly resuscitated donors had higher rates of re-admission to hospital after surgery.  In summary, this initial research strongly supported the concept that inadequate donor management is associated with poor organ yield and that a protocol-guided donor resuscitation, coupled with a sensitive measure of fluid responsiveness (as provided by the LiDCOplus Monitor), would increase organ yield for transplantation.

The findings of this early work led to the submission of a grant application to fund a larger study.  This application was successful with funding being allocated by the US Government for an expanded multi centre trial, known as MOnIToR (Monitoring Organ donors to Improve Transplantation Results).  The investigators at The University of Pittsburgh were awarded a substantial grant to study an expanded group of 960 donor patients.  Given the results of the initial studies the doctors co-ordinating and participating in the study chose the LiDCOplus as the hemodynamic monitor to be used to drive the resuscitation protocol. Success has been set as a 0.5 increase in the numbers of organs per donor transplanted. If the trial proves successful and then implemented throughout the US, 0.5 extra organs per donor would represent a 17% increase in the numbers of organs available - from approximately 22,500 to 26,250 per annum. 

Commenting Dr Terry O'Brien, Chief Executive of LiDCO, stated: "The results of earlier studies using our technology to monitor and develop a treatment protocol designed to improve the hemodynamic status of donors has generated considerable interest within the US transplantation community. There are currently around 98,000 people on the US organ waiting list so an increase in the number of available organs has the potential to save thousands of lives. We look forward to working with The University of Pittsburgh and the other participating centres in this very exciting project."

-ENDS- 

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About LiDCO Group Plc

LiDCO is a leading supplier of minimally invasive hemodynamic monitoring equipment and disposables. These are used primarily for the management of hospital patients requiring critical care or at major cardiovascular risk. LiDCO's computer-based technology significantly reduces the complications (particularly infections) and costs associated with major surgery. The technology was invented in the Department of Applied Physiology based at St Thomas' Hospital, London. LiDCO is based in the UK and its shares are traded on AIM. For more information please see www.lidco.com.

The Company's manufacturing facility is in Hoxton, London and its current products are:

* LiDCOplus and PulseCO monitors: these computer-based platforms are used in the Intensive Care Unit for real-time continuous display of hemodynamic parameters including cardiac output, oxygen delivery and fluid volume (PPV% and SVV%)

* LiDCO disposables: used in conjunction with the LiDCOplus Monitor for accurate measurement of cardiac output in a minimally invasive manner

* LiDCOrapid : our new cardiac output monitor designed specifically for use in the Operating Theatre for fluid and drug management in risk surgery patients

* LiDCOview: an easy-to-use graphical display of historical LiDCOplus hemodynamic data. Both clinical researchers and routine users can view beat-to-beat hemodynamic data collected with the LiDCOplus & rapid. 

* LiDCOlive: a software product in development for the remote display of hemodynamic monitoring parameters derived through use of the LiDCOplus or LiDCOrapid monitors