The ARROW® VPS G4™ Device, a Vascular Positioning System from Teleflex, Streamlines Placement of Central IV Catheters, Stu...
August 25 2014 - 7:00AM
Business Wire
Peer-Reviewed Research Describes How Device
Enabled Hospital to Eliminate Confirmatory Chest X-rays
Teleflex Incorporated (NYSE: TFX), a leading global provider of
medical devices for critical care and surgery, announced that a
newly published clinical study demonstrates that the accuracy of
the ARROW® VPS G4™ Vascular Positioning System, with placements of
peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), can eliminate the
use of confirmatory chest X-rays.
The peer-reviewed study, titled “Successfully Eliminating Chest
Radiography by Replacing It with Dual Vector Technology and an
Algorithm for PICC Placement,” appeared in the June 2014 issue of
the Journal of the Association for Vascular Access (JAVA). The
prospective, non-randomized research showed that the VPS G4™ System
achieved 100% accuracy in placement of PICCs in an initial group of
patients with normal sinus rhythm (normal heartbeat). When used in
this study the device was also found to be useful in several
patients who had atrial fibrillation – that is, an irregular
heartbeat.
Because the system enables accurate catheter placement, the
study concludes, confirmatory chest X-rays can be eliminated, when
a steady Blue Bullseye is illuminated, which in turn reduces
radiation exposure for patients, speeds the delivery of therapy and
lowers direct costs.
The VPS G4™ System combines intravascular electrocardiogram
(ECG), intravascular Doppler ultrasound and a unique software
algorithm to accurately place catheter tips in the lower 1/3 of the
Superior Vena Cava (SVC) at the heart’s Cavo-Atrial Junction (CAJ).
The VPS G4™ Device is FDA cleared to eliminate chest X-ray in adult
patients, when a steady Blue Bullseye is achieved.
In the study, the VPS G4™ System was used with 31 patients
selected from the PICC patient population at Presence Saint Joseph
Medical Center (Joliet, Ill.). For purposes of the study, placement
with the system was considered accurate if the result obtained with
a steady Blue Bullseye was confirmed by a subsequent chest
X-ray.
Of the 30 subjects, 25 had normal sinus rhythm – that is, a
normal heart rate. A steady Blue Bullseye was obtained for all 25
of those patients, an accuracy rate of 100%. Five patients in the
study were diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. A steady Blue
Bullseye was obtained for three of those patients. Although a
confirmatory chest X-ray is required for patients with atrial
fibrillation when using the VPS G4™ System, this result was
noteworthy, the study said, because some other positioning
technologies cannot be used with patients who have an abnormal
sinus rhythm. One of the patients was dropped from the study
because of technical difficulties.
Based on these findings, Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center,
the site of the study, determined that when the positioning system
is used for PICC placements in patients with normal sinus rhythm, a
confirmatory chest X-ray is not necessary.
"Our experience with the positioning system has been empowering
in multiple ways,” said Constance Girgenti, BSN, RN, VA-BC™, lead
author of the article and the Vascular Access Coordinator at
Presence Saint Joseph. “The system enables us to provide safer,
timelier care for our patients, which is extremely important to us
as clinicians. These excellent outcomes have continued, and it has
been very satisfying to oversee the process from successful study
to broader implementation.”
Elizabeth Donnellan, RN, BSN, VA-BC™, co-authored the paper
about the positioning system’s use at Presence Saint Joseph. “Our
vascular access team is one of the few in the country that has also
expanded its practice to place central venous catheters, or CVCs,”
said Donnellan. “Now that we have established the effectiveness of
the VPS G4™ System for PICCs, we expect to start using it with
central lines. Our next goal is to eliminate confirmatory chest
X-rays with CVCs.”
The study results are important for several reasons:
- Reduced radiation exposure. If accurate
placements can be made without relying on a confirmatory X-ray,
patients are spared the exposure to the associated radiation.
- Avoidance of treatment delays. At many
hospitals, it can take up to several hours to obtain a confirmatory
X-ray, which delays treatment, and then have the X-ray read by a
radiologist, which further delays treatment.
- Reduced costs. Confirmatory X-rays,
which are read by radiologists, add costs. So do malpositioned
catheter tips, which require adjustment of the line position. The
positioning system can eliminate confirmatory chest X-rays in most
cases and also minimizes catheter malpositions.
Teleflex provided no financial support for this study other than
supplying the device for the initial trial. The lead author has
provided consulting to Teleflex regarding technologies other than
ARROW VPS G4™.
About Teleflex Incorporated
Teleflex is a leading global provider of specialty medical
devices for a range of procedures in critical care and surgery. Our
mission is to provide solutions that enable healthcare providers to
improve outcomes and enhance patient and provider safety.
Headquartered in Wayne, PA, Teleflex employs approximately 11,500
people worldwide and serves healthcare providers in more than 150
countries. Additional information about Teleflex can be obtained
from the company's website at www.teleflex.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements contained in this press release that do not
describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking
statements. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are
based on our management's current beliefs and expectations, but are
subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and changes in
circumstances, which may cause actual results or company actions to
differ materially from what is expressed or implied by these
statements. These risks and uncertainties are identified and
described in more detail in our filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
VA-BC is a registered trademark of the Vascular Access
Certification Corporation.
Teleflex, Arrow and VPS G4 are trademarks or registered
trademarks of Teleflex Incorporated or its affiliates.© 2014
Teleflex Incorporated. All rights reserved. MC-000199
Teleflex IncorporatedJake ElguiczeTreasurer and Vice President,
Investor
Relations610-948-2836jake.elguicze@teleflex.comwww.teleflex.com
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