PLAINSBORO, N.J., June 28, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq:IART) announced today its support for the third edition of the Brain Trauma Foundation's Guidelines for the Management of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (Guidelines). The Guidelines are nationally recognized and referenced by many of the leading trauma centers in treatment of patients with traumatic brain injury. They are available for viewing at www.braintrauma.org.
The Guidelines were developed by the Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF) in association with the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), and the AANS/CNS Joint Section on Neurotrauma and Critical Care, and incorporate the latest published research findings relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of severe traumatic brain injury.
"We are very grateful for Integra's support of this publication," said Jamshid Ghajar, MD, PhD, FACS (President, Brain Trauma Foundation, Clinical Professor of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College). "Research has shown that not all brain damage occurs at the moment of impact. Damage frequently evolves over the ensuing hours and days after the initial injury. Research has proven that, in most cases, this secondary damage can be controlled using scientific, evidence-based treatment guidelines, which BTF has developed with medical organizations and physicians with expertise in TBI. By educating health care providers in the use of these guidelines, the BTF estimates that thousands of lives could be saved in the U.S., and many would be spared life-long disabilities."
With over 1000 trauma centers nationwide, more than 600,000 prehospital care providers, and a variety of physicians and nurses treating patients with severe TBI, it is an enormous challenge to get information to all those who care for brain injury patients in the U.S. The Guidelines include specific recommendations with regard to monitoring intracranial pressure (ICP) and brain tissue oxygen (BtO2) management. Intracranial pressure may be monitored by the Integra Camino(R) Advanced Monitor. Brain tissue oxygen may be monitored by the Integra Licox(R) Brain Tissue Oxygen Monitor.
"We are proud of our continued support of the Brain Trauma Foundation and our sponsorship of the 2007 publication Guidelines for the Management of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury," said Stuart Essig, President and Chief Executive Officer of Integra LifeSciences. "Our company is dedicated to improving patients' lives and the Guidelines make a real difference in patient outcome."
The Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF) was founded in 1986 as a non-profit organization to improve outcomes for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) patients. TBI, usually from car crashes but also falls and sport injuries, is the leading cause of death and disability in children and young adults. BTF is the only organization of its kind dedicated to improving TBI care during the acute phase after injury, in the ambulance and in the hospital. By educating medical professionals in this area, thousands of lives can be saved each year in the U.S. and thousands more will be spared life long permanent disabilities.
Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation, a world leader in regenerative medicine, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for patients through the development, manufacturing, and marketing of cost-effective surgical implants and medical instruments. Our products, used primarily in neurosurgery, extremity reconstruction, orthopedics and general surgery, are used to treat millions of patients every year. Integra's headquarters are in Plainsboro, New Jersey, and we have research and manufacturing facilities throughout the world. Please visit our website at (http://www.Integra-LS.com).
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the future use of Integra LifeSciences products. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from predicted or expected results. Among other things, the willingness of physicians to use these products may affect the prospects for its use in clinical procedures. In addition, the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors, identified under the Risk Factors section of Integra's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, and information contained in subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could affect actual results.
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