LiDCO Group plc (AIM: LID), the cardiovascular monitoring company, is pleased to announce that the version 4.0 software for its LiDCOplus hemodynamic monitor will be exhibited for the first time at the 26th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine (ISICEM), in Brussels, Belgium, from 21st to 24th March 2006. The version 4.0 software includes a new measurement, the intrathoracic blood volume, and will also enable a number of significant other advances in the care of critically ill and major surgery patients. These include improved management of patient fluids, better oxygen delivery targeting and greater ease of use. In addition this approach, using LiDCO's technology, has been shown to save an average of £4,800 per patient treated¹. Subject to final pre-release testing, the full launch of the version 4.0 software is scheduled for quarter two of 2006.

LiDCO is also pleased to report that during the ISICEM conference seven presentations from clinicians based in Europe ( UK, Italy, Holland and Austria) will further support the effectiveness and clinical utility of LiDCO products.

Dr Terry O’Brien, CEO of LiDCO Group Plc, stated:

“The flexible nature of the LiDCOplus monitor PC platform allows us to continue to evolve our offering in response to customer feedback. We believe that our minimally invasive technology provides the most cost effective opportunity for hospitals to achieve the best standard of care possible in at-risk surgery and intensive care patients.”

Notes to 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.

About the version 4.0 software: 

Improvements to fluid management The LiDCOplus monitor when upgraded to the version 4.0 software will provide the new direct measurement of intrathoracic blood volume (ITBV). The ITBV is a much more sensitive guide to the fluid management of patients than invasive catheter based measurements.

The new software will also include an intelligent fluid response assessment screen that when used together with the new measurement of ITBV and existing fluid monitoring parameters of stroke volume variation, will provide comprehensive information regarding fluid resuscitation of both ventilated and non-ventilated patients.

Improvements to oxygen delivery targeting In the version 4.0 software, the clinician / nurse will be able to set a visual and individualized oxygen delivery target on the LiDCOplus monitor screen. This has been included in order to help hospitals implement Early Goal Directed Therapy of surgery patients - through use of the LiDCOplus monitor. This approach, using LiDCO's technology, has been shown to save an average of £4,800 per patient treated 1. This will be a unique product feature and will help simplify the management of the patients scheduled for advanced hemodynamic monitoring protocols.

If venous blood saturation values are available the version 4.0 software will calculate the oxygen delivery to consumption ratio. This feature will again be useful in the early detection of levels of oxygen delivery that are inadequate and may lead to organ failure and prolonged bed stay.

Ease of Use
The version 4.0 software will also have a number of changes to the lithium dilution calibration procedure. These focus on ease of use, improved quality checks and more user help screens.

About LiDCO's products:

• 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 to accurately determine cardiac output in a minimally-invasive manner.

Distribution Network:

The Company has now achieved registration of its products in 13 markets in 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 revealed the following:

a) Savings in the cost of treating patients amounting to an average of 12 days less spent in the hospital, saving approximately £4,800 per patient. Extrapolated nationally, this would equate to an estimated saving of £500 million per annum for the NHS

b) 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.