LiDCO Group plc (AIM: LID), the cardiovascular monitoring company, is pleased to announce the publication of a paper by researchers at the Royal Veterinary Hospital, London validating LiDCO’s LiDCOplus Monitor, and in particular the Company’s pulse contour software (PulseCO),for use in the care of horses during surgery. The study shows that the software, which is used routinely in humans for the management of critical care and cardiovascular high risk hospital patients, is similarly effective in equine applications.

This is the first time that LiDCO’s proprietary software, providing continuous pulse contour cardiovascular monitoring, has been demonstrated to be applicable in horses.

The paper was entitled: “Use of Lithium dilution and pulse contour analysis cardiac output determination in anaesthetized horses: a clinical evaluation – G. Hallowell & K. Corley, Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia, 2005, 32, 201 – 211.”

The paper concluded that LiDCO’s method of pulse contour analysis is a relatively non-invasive and reliable way of monitoring continuous cardiac output in horses under anaesthesia. The paper also concluded that the ability to easily monitor continuous cardiac output might decrease morbidity and mortality in the anaesthetized horses.

LiDCO believes that these results are comparable with what the Company has previously seen from the use of the LiDCOplus technology in humans where the Company has been able to show that complications, costs and hospital stay can be reduced by an average of 10 days in high risk surgery patients.

Dr Kevin Corley, lecturer in Equine Medicine and Critical Care at the Royal Veterinary Hospital, London, stated:

“Lithium dilution cardiac output has proven its worth time and time again in the care of critically ill horses and foals. The addition of continuous cardiac output via pulse contour analysis is a fantastic extra, as it allows us to quickly respond to changes in the haemodynamics of the horse.”

Dr Terry O'Brien, LiDCO's Chief Executive, commented:

“Horses are even more sensitive to anaesthetic drugs than humans and can be severely and adversely affected by the use of such agents during surgery. This paper further validates the accuracy and utility of our products. The use of LiDCO’s minimally invasive continuous cardiovascular monitoring in veterinary, practice should lead to a significant reduction in surgical deaths and complications”.

Notes for Editors

About LiDCO Plc

LiDCO is a UK-based AIM-traded developer, manufacturer and leading supplier of minimally invasive, computer-based hemodynamic monitoring equipment and disposables used primarily for the management of critical care and cardiovascular risk hospital patients. Use of LiDCO’s technology has been shown to significantly reduce 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 where the Company maintains a research base.

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

LiDCOplus and PulseCO monitors: computer-based platforms for displaying a range of real-time, continuous hemodynamic parameters including cardiac output, oxygen delivery and fluid volume;

LiDCO disposables: used in conjunction with the LiDCOplus Monitor accurately determine cardiac output in a minimally-invasive manner.

Distribution Network:

The Company has achieved registration for its products in 13 markets across Europe, the USA, Brazil and Japan.  It sells direct to the NHS in the UK, and through a worldwide network of specialty critical care distributors.

Background to the recently published clinical trial: Better than standard care - (EGDT) improves outcome in high risk surgery patients:

The results of a major trial at St George’s Hospital, London using LiDCO’s minimally invasive monitoring technology were presented during the 25th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine in Brussels (21st to 25th March). The results have revealed the following:

a) Savings in the cost of treating patients amounting to an average of £4,000 per patient.  Extrapolated nationally, this would equate to a saving of £500 million per annum for the NHS

b) The monetary saving (£248,000) - resulted from 640 hospital days saved for 62 patients, an average of more than 10 bed days per patient

c) The savings in cost and hospital days were associated with a significant reduction in medical complications (particularly infections – which were halved) through the use of LiDCO’s minimally invasive technology to improve tissue oxygen levels following surgery.